Youth Gambling Addiction Surges, Pornography Use Alarms Expert

There's growing worry about young people's mental health and how technology affects their lives, especially as certain behavioral addictions are on the rise again. Journalist Jorge Gutiérrez, an expert in youth addictions and author of "The Digital Sex Trap," shared some insights at a recent debate in La Laguna. He highlighted that gambling and betting addictions have seen the biggest increase lately, now affecting about one in four young people aged 14 to 18. These figures, from recent government reports, show a worrying trend. Meanwhile, pornography use has dropped slightly, and the use of video games and social media has stayed about the same.

Gutiérrez, who spoke alongside neurologist Javier Cabanyes at an event titled "Adolescent Challenges: Social Media, Addiction, and Mental Health," explained why young people are so vulnerable. He pointed to several factors of the digital age: it's easier than ever to access content and products, people are always connected, and there's anonymity, affordability, and accessibility – what he calls the 'three A's.' These factors make it simple for a habit to turn into an addiction. On top of this, many young people feel increasingly lonely, both in reality and emotionally. This pushes them to seek digital entertainment as a way to ease anxiety or depression. However, relying on these digital escapes often makes their problems worse in the long run.

Even with the slight drop in pornography use, the numbers are still high and worrying. Three out of ten teenagers admit to watching it often, and one out of ten watches it weekly or even every day. Gutiérrez warns that while pornography might seem harmless or even 'unbeatable' because it's so immediate, its long-term effects are devastating. These include twisting beliefs about sexuality, harming future relationships, and changing one's views on gender violence. The pornography industry, with its huge resources, has made this kind of consumption seem normal. According to Gutiérrez, it can take years for those affected to realize it's a serious problem.

Dealing with these behavioral addictions is complicated because there isn't much specific data available, and there are few specialized treatment centers. This is unlike addictions to substances like alcohol or tobacco, which have seen a decrease in use in recent years, though cannabis use is now rising.

To tackle pornography use, Gutiérrez stresses the importance of teaching young people the clear difference between sex and pornography, which he calls a 'distorted and fleeting representation of sexuality.' It's vital that they understand the emotional fallout, such as struggling to form stable relationships, find sexual satisfaction, or develop empathy. Finding role models and examples of people who have overcome these challenges can be a strong way to connect with young people.

Gutiérrez also debunks common myths, like the idea that pornography improves sexual relationships or that it's just harmless entertainment without the risk of addiction. Warning signs include losing control, being unable to stop using it even when aware of the harm, and negative consequences showing up in different parts of one's life. Gutiérrez advises parents to look out for changes in their children's behavior, such as becoming isolated, withdrawn, or seeing their school performance drop. He suggests approaching them directly but without judgment, building trust, and offering unconditional support. If a serious problem is found, he recommends seeing a specialist.

Finally, his message to young people is an invitation to reflect: to question immediate pleasure and consider whether their current actions will truly lead to their long-term happiness.