Greece comes first in Europe in electronic gambling among 16-year-olds.
There are children who stay up all night on the internet and because they don’t wake up in the morning, they do homework.
The data presented on Saturday afternoon at the Conference Center of the University of Patras during the medico-social event organized by the Medical Association of Patras in the context of the commemoration of the memory of Saint Luke the Evangelist, patron of Doctors and which was part of the work of the 14th Pamploponnesian Conference of the Medical Society of Western Greece on the theme: “New children on the path of life in the post-Covid era”, were shocking.
The revealing data was presented by the emeritus professor of Psychiatry of the University of Athens, Meni Malliori, the president of the Child Psychiatry Society of Greece and the director of the Department of Child-Adolescent Psychiatry “Asklipieio Voulas”, Manos Tsalamanios and the digital analyst Pantelis Tabakopoulos under the coordination of the president of the Medical Association and Deputy Governor of Health Annas Mastorakou.
Mrs Malliori, referring to electronic gambling, spoke of an “epidemic within the pandemic”. Analyzing the relevant data obtained from the Research University Institute of Mental Hygiene and presenting the percentages of electronic gambling for 16-year-olds, he underlined that “Greek 16-year-olds are the first in electronic gambling in 2015 and 2020 and next semester we expect the third record, I hope not to continue occupying the first place. And of course we also have an increase in aggression, domestic violence, femicides, gangs of delinquent teenagers, our country comes first”.
Mrs. Malliori gave special emphasis to the promotion routes of electronic gambling. “Aggressive advertising, unregulated market, imitation of role models, adolescent psychology, easy profit, tackling poverty. And all this happens under the sunlight. Not secretly. It is unacceptable, for example, for a strong role model for young people like Giannis Antetokounmpo to advertise a betting company. We must call a spade a spade or we will not be able to cure this epidemic. Advertising cannot tell a teenager to “play responsibly”. This is not a ban, it is a push” and added:
“According to the data of the Gaming Supervision and Control Commission (EEEP), the turnover of all games in Greece in 2023, amounted to 36 billion euros, while in the first half of 2024, it amounted to 22 billion euros.”
Equally revealing were the data presented by Mrs. Malliori and concerning the use of psychoactive substances. As we pointed out now all people, regardless of age, find “everything, everywhere” explaining that:
“We are facing a more serious situation with drugs due to high availability – new ways of supply – technology. Diversity in drug use – multiple use. The psychotropics of unknown content – adulterated and the new category of users due to the pandemic, people who want to deal with their mental burden with stimulants and euphoric substances” explained Ms. Malliori adding that “cannabis is mentioned more often than the use of tobacco. The most common reasons for using cannabis, stress reduction, euphoria, relaxation, sleep improvement, fun, socializing. While the environment of use was the home (85%) due to restrictive measures”.
⦁ @ During the pandemic, compared to before, the use of cannabis and cocaine increased.
⦁ @ Despite the restrictive measures of COVID-19 there has been resilience of drug trafficking and purchasing.
⦁ @ Hemp products increase health effects due to adulteration with synthetic cannabinoids.
⦁ @ Large increase in use of cocaine-crack-stimulants with consequent increase in, aggression, domestic violence, mental disorders, requests for treatment.
⦁ @ Cocaine in 2020 was, after cannabis, the second most common substance in hospital emergency rooms, while heroin was third.
“In Greece, we had a record in the use of cocaine during the Pandemic, while the use of antidepressants also doubled, compared to 2019,” said the Professor of Psychiatry, quoting the following data: “Specifically, in Athens in March 2019, the consumption of cocaine was 482 grams. per day, while in the first blockade in March 2020, we reached a doubling (804 g/day) and in the second blockade in November 2020 a quadrupling, i.e. 1837 g. daily. The increase continued reaching March 2021, in use 2,396 g. daily”.
In closing, Mrs. Malliori emphasized that other data sources should be activated at a nationwide level so that we have a clear picture of what is happening in society. Among them are the emergency cases where dozens of citizens arrive with various symptoms and after pathological reasons are ruled out, they are sent away without being psychiatrically checked for addictions, etc., analysis of residues in syringes, analysis of sewage, online surveys, drug analysis services.
Dark Web: The most ethical sells substances
Mr. Tsalamanios, analyzing the part of the effects of the pandemic on children, said that it has sown “angry, insecurity, anger, fear, depression, post-traumatic disorders, insomnia, worry about sudden separation and job loss of the parents. These are feelings that dominate young people after the pandemic”.
He particularly focused on sleep disturbance. “The hours when the primary school children had lessons were lunchtime and this left them room for staying up all night. Whether we parents realized it or not, kids stayed up in front of screens until 5 in the morning. Something that has become a habit for many children, as a result of which they cannot wake up in the morning for school. And for this reason, I call on teachers to pay special attention to home-schooled students because they stay up late at night.”
In conclusion, he did not hide that today it is very difficult to be a parent. “One cannot remember being a parent when their 17-year-old child is arrested for delinquency. Then it’s too late. From the first years, the parent is called to fight the battle of education, especially in an era when the influence of the family and the school on the child is small in contrast to technology”.
Mr Tabakopoulos, who is certified in dark web research, pointed out: “On the dark web, the most ethical person in there is selling drugs. And, unfortunately, young people come in and surf for hours. Everything is given to them generously. Anyone can choose anything, drugs, substances, weapons, extortion, paid crime, etc.”
As an example, Mr. Tabakopoulos mentioned the recent arrest of three young people aged 16, 18 and 20 in Thessaloniki for shoplifting. “When they asked the 18-year-old student why did you do it? He replied “I saw it on YouTube and in songs I heard”. The influence of technology on young people scares me. We have 14-15-year-old children who star in child pornography rings.”
Also Mr. Tabakopoulos focused on the illusion that exists that by deleting a file from our personal account it has been deleted.
“Nothing is deleted on the internet. Everything you do online is followed forever. And this can affect the future of a young person. Now, before hiring someone, companies have special services and search the internet to find traces of their prospective employee. If they find something he might have written even at the age of 12 and they don’t like it, they don’t hire him.”
Holding up his cell phone, he said: “This is a weapon, not just a cell phone. And I mention the simplest. When I, through this, blackmail a classmate of mine, do I not kill him?’
#Greek #16yearolds #champions #gambling
Interview with Professor Meni Malliori: Examining the Rise of Electronic Gambling Among Greek Youth
Interviewer: Good afternoon, Professor Malliori. Thank you for joining us today. Your recent presentation at the University of Patras highlighted concerning trends in electronic gambling among 16-year-olds in Greece. Can you elaborate on what you found?
Professor Malliori: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. Our findings indicate that Greek adolescents not only lead Europe in electronic gambling rates, but this tendency has persisted since 2015 and 2020. We anticipate further alarming data next semester. Alarmingly, this trend correlates with an increase in aggressive behaviors and various forms of social unrest, including domestic violence and youth delinquency.
Interviewer: You mentioned in your presentation that the rise of electronic gambling can be considered an “epidemic within the pandemic.” Could you explain what you meant by that?
Professor Malliori: Absolutely. The pandemic has heightened many pre-existing issues. With lockdown measures in place, children turned to the internet for entertainment, leading to increased exposure to electronic gambling. This accessibility, combined with aggressive advertising and the influence of role models, has made gambling attractive to minors, suggesting a public health crisis that requires urgent attention.
Interviewer: Advertising plays a significant role in this issue. What specific changes do you believe are necessary to tackle this problem?
Professor Malliori: There needs to be stricter regulations on advertising, especially on platforms popular among youth. It is unacceptable for well-known figures, like sports personalities, to endorse gambling. We must recognize that messages telling young people to “play responsibly” are essentially normalizing gambling behavior. We need to advocate for responsible messaging that doesn’t undermine the serious risks involved.
Interviewer: Alongside gambling, you discussed an increase in substance use among young people during the pandemic. How have these trends affected mental health?
Professor Malliori: The overlap is significant. Many youth, faced with anxiety and isolation due to the pandemic, have turned to psychoactive substances to cope. We’ve seen a marked increase in cannabis and cocaine use, alongside rising rates of mental health issues. Notably, cannabis usage has overtaken tobacco among young people, highlighting shifting patterns in substance consumption.
Interviewer: With these challenges in mind, what do you believe is necessary for parents and educators to support children during this time?
Professor Malliori: Parents and educators must be vigilant. Adolescents need guidance regarding internet safety and the risks of gambling and substance use. Furthermore, monitoring screen time is crucial, as many children are developing habits of staying up late, resulting in sleep deprivation and impact on their academic performance. It’s essential to foster open conversations about these issues.
Interviewer: what systemic changes do you envision to effectively address these growing issues?
Professor Malliori: To get a clearer understanding of the landscape, we need better data collection at a nationwide level, including analyses of emergency room cases, substance residues in analysis, and sewage analysis related to drug use. We must invest in comprehensive community programs that offer mental health support, education, and awareness campaigns to address these issues head-on.
Interviewer: Thank you, Professor Malliori, for sharing your insights. Addressing electronic gambling and substance use among youth is undoubtedly critical for the health of future generations.
Professor Malliori: Thank you for having me; it’s vital we continue this conversation.
Nd, what preventative measures do you believe should be implemented to safeguard the mental health of young people in Greece?
Professor Malliori: We need a multi-faceted approach that encompasses education, family involvement, and community support. Schools should implement educational programs that address the risks of gambling and substance use. Additionally, we must enhance the role of parents and guardians, encouraging open dialogues about these issues. Community organizations can assist by providing resources for youth and families, creating a safety net for those in need. We also need to activate data-gathering initiatives to ensure we’re informed about the evolving landscape of youth behavior in Greece.
Interviewer: Thank you for your valuable insights, Professor Malliori. It seems clear that both societal and governmental action is crucial in addressing these alarming trends among our youth.
Professor Malliori: Thank you for shedding light on this urgent issue. It is only through concerted efforts that we can hope to reverse these trends and support the healthy development of our children.
