The Guarantor Authority for Childhood and Adolescence sounds the alarm: they create addiction, lead the very young to steal and there is also the risk of pedophilia
Video game addiction is certainly not new. However, what is happening in recent years is really worrying: an increasing number of preadolescents are experiencing serious physical and psychological discomfort, precisely because of some gaming platforms.
They can not sleep, do not do well in school and in some cases they even steal. To launch the alarm is the Guarantor Authority for Childhood and Adolescence, which points the finger at some applications: they have unclear rules and are developed to create addiction. Especially among the very young. Apps that include Clash Royale and Clash of Clans, platforms that, after an initial free period, ask the user to buy credits to move forward. And the boys, attracted by the possibility of accessing the next level and prove to be better than their peers, enter a tunnel from which in some cases it is difficult to get out.
The trap of pedophiles
And that's not all. Unfortunately. Perhaps the saddest aspect of this story is the fact that young victims often risk falling into the trap of pedophiles. Most of these applications have, in fact, a chat section. And it is here that the solicitation of the child takes place. There are many factors that come into play in this new form of 2.0 addiction. As many experts suggest, in the minor there is the desire to assert oneself on a social level. A need that can push the teenager to steal money from his parents.
Unclear rules
And then there is an unclear area, from the point of view of regulations. The app stores themselves allow anyone to add a credit card or even use phone credit. True, there is an age limit, but who checks? This triggers a series of mechanisms that lead minors to steal from their families or to compromise with adults in exchange for a few charges.
It is, therefore, essential to find a solution soon, one that must involve all parties: operators, parents and institutions. And it is also important to conduct awareness campaigns to help young people understand the dangers hidden behind a seemingly harmless game.