Be a good listener. Keep it casual. Watch your language

As teens enter high school, they are faced with lots of challenges including being curious or pressured to try gambling. In fact, local research shows that about 13% of High School students have reported that they have gambled in the last 30 days.

There will be many opportunities for parents to have open, honest conversations with their teens about this topic. Stay Out of the Danger Zone is here to share some useful tips and techniques to help parents feel more confident when it comes to having these conversations.

Most parents want to start talking, just don’t know where to start. So what does the conversation look like?

Give your teen your undivided attention. Allow them to freely share their opinions, questions, concerns, feelings.

Stay in the boundaries of the current conversation. It’s easy to jump to a prior agenda or allow your agenda to take over. Seize the opportunity to embrace your teen’s viewpoints.

Allow for these conversations to happen in the car, over dinner, or during game night. Remember these conversations should not be a one-time thing.

Use open-ended questions to get your teen thinking critically. You can also discuss scenarios or ask them to share things they have seen and or heard and coach them through how they would respond.

During every conversation with your teen about gambling or gaming, let them know they can always come to you for information and advice.

Remember the old saying, “say what you mean, mean what you say.” This saying comes in handy when setting expectations about gambling with your teen.

Avoid using general statements like “I know you will do the right thing” or “you know what Iexpect.”

When setting expectations, encourage your teen to ask questions when things are not clear.

Teens often want to know why. Be prepared to give the facts. Be prepared to answer questions about your own gambling or gaming behaviors, morals, and views.

Keep reminding your teen of your expectations. Look for opportunities, such as the growing number of commercials on sports betting, or a news story about a teen involved with gambling, or when you are watching a movie together and a character references or sensationalizes gambling. Help them understand the difference between gambling as an occasional outlet and when gambling behaviors can turn into an addiction.

Friends and Peers. Simply put, get to know them. Know with whom and where your teen is hanging out. During high school, friends and peers can be the most influential. Don’t forget that family members can be considered a friend or a peer too. Share your expectations with your teen as well as their friends.

Even when you think they’re not watching, they are. Even when they no longer think you are a ‘cool’ parent, they are watching. Do your best to lead by example both inside and outside of the home. This includes other adults and community members. Share your views with key adults in your teen’s life and ask for their help reinforcing your expectations.

In today’s world, we are surrounded by media, including your teen. As a parent, you want your teen to come to you with questions instead of finding answers from unreliable sources. Know what media your teen is exposed to and how they may be influenced by it. Music, video games, commercials, movies, and more - all can influence your teen’s views on gaming and gambling.