Preventing Addiction: A New Center Focuses on Youth Education

The newly established center for behavioral addiction prevention emphasizes the urgent need for awareness and education, particularly among youth. With an increasing prevalence of issues related to gaming, social media, and gambling, the center aims to address these concerns proactively.

Since its inception on March 20, 2024, the center has identified a significant demand for preventive measures aimed at young people. The project leader highlighted that schools and parents frequently seek guidance on managing children's behaviors and preventing potential addiction issues.

The center's primary focus encompasses a variety of behavioral addictions, including gambling addiction, excessive media use, social media addiction, and problematic shopping behaviors. Throughout its first year, the center has developed various educational materials and concepts, engaging different target groups to enhance its offerings moving forward.

A key aspect of the prevention strategy involves helping young individuals distinguish between typical behaviors and those that may indicate a problem. The center has reached over 1,000 students through workshops and school events, aiming to foster an understanding of healthy versus harmful behavioral patterns.

Recognizing that social media and internet usage are integral parts of modern life, the center promotes awareness of the risks associated with unregulated consumption. The focus is not on eliminating these behaviors but rather on preventing them from escalating into problematic habits. Techniques such as mindfulness exercises and the use of apps to monitor media consumption are encouraged to help individuals become more conscious of their habits.

The center actively conducts outreach in schools, businesses, and childcare facilities, launching public campaigns to raise awareness about behavioral addiction. In particular, it aims to educate youths about the mechanics behind games and applications they frequently use, thereby enhancing their critical thinking regarding these platforms. More than 20 events, including workshops and lectures, have also been conducted for professionals and other stakeholders.

While the center primarily collaborates with educational institutions and youth organizations, it welcomes inquiries from the general public. It is particularly focused on training educators in childcare settings to recognize at-risk behaviors among children, especially those from families struggling with addiction.

Moreover, businesses are also a target audience for the center's initiatives. Many organizations have already implemented measures addressing alcohol and tobacco use, but the center emphasizes the importance of including topics such as media use, pornography, and gambling addiction in their wellness programs. Stress management is also recognized as a crucial preventive measure against the development of addictive behaviors.

For individuals concerned about their own consumption habits, the center can refer them to specialized organizations offering free counseling services. This includes resources like the Caritas center for behavioral addiction and the Deck24 gambling advisory service, which provide direct support for those in need.