The influence of technology: Internet gambling among college students.

Abstract

Adolescent gambling, internet gambling among college students, and the impact of school bullying collectively form a complex web of challenges that significantly influence the well-being of today's youth. As technology continues to evolve, the accessibility of online platforms has heightened concerns regarding the occurrence and impact of online gambling among college students. This quantitative research investigates the interconnected dynamics of adolescent gambling prevention strategies, internet gambling among high school and college students, and the role of school bullying. Utilizing a purposive sampling technique, 800 valid responses were collected from a total distribution of 850 questionnaires (500 high school, and 300 college students). The data, analyzed using SPSS statistical software, yielded significant findings. The study validates a negative correlation between effective adolescent gambling prevention strategies and problematic gambling prevalence. It also reveals higher psychological distress and a negative correlation between academic performance and internet gambling frequency among college students engaged in internet gambling. Furthermore, a positive association exists between school bullying experience and adolescents' engagement in both offline and online gambling behaviors. Demographic factors such as socioeconomic status and ethnicity were found to moderate the relationship between adolescent gambling prevention strategies and gambling prevalence. A research novelty is introduced, demonstrating a positive correlation between exposure to pro-gambling advertisements on digital platforms and the frequency and severity of internet gambling among college students. This study offers insightful perspectives on the complex dynamics of adolescent behaviors, guiding the creation of specific prevention strategies and emphasizing the influence of digital advertising on internet gambling.