{"id":15721,"date":"2021-10-13T06:06:51","date_gmt":"2021-10-13T06:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qustodio.com\/?p=15721"},"modified":"2021-10-13T06:10:31","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T06:10:31","slug":"what-are-loot-boxes-how-harmful-are-they-to-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qustodio.com\/en\/blog\/what-are-loot-boxes-how-harmful-are-they-to-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"What are loot boxes? And how harmful are they to your kids?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”2px||4px|2%|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||true|false” module_alignment_tablet=”” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_team_member name=”Qustodio Team” position=”Experts in digital safety” image_url=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2021\/10\/01090043\/Qustodio-Team.png” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”80%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||24px|7px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” position_text_align_tablet=”” position_text_align_phone=”center” position_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone”][\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2021\/10\/11090734\/Lootboxes_Blog_InsideImage_Header_Desktop.png” alt=”Tips to help your child stay safe during the back to school period” title_text=”Lootboxes_Blog_InsideImage_Header_Desktop” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||24px||false|false”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-80px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]If your child plays online video games, chances are they will run into loot boxes – <\/span>a video game feature used by 40% of children<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> So it is important that parents know what loot boxes are, do whatever they can to reduce their child\u2019s exposure to them, and know how to identify the symptoms of gambling addiction in their children. Here\u2019s what parents need to know about the link between video game loot boxes and gambling addiction in children<\/strong>. <\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

What are loot boxes?<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]Loot boxes are virtual, mystery boxes, chests, crates or card packs, filled with a collection of randomized items such as weapons, skins, special abilities or coins that video game players can only open by completing a task or paying money – real money<\/strong>. Some loot box contents are merely for cosmetic purposes, but others are sometimes required to be able to advance in a game, or allow players to advance faster.\u00a0<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Are loot boxes harmful to your kids?<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]Mounting research, such as that done by the universities of Plymouth and Wolverhampton, indicates that loot boxes are linked to problem gambling, and are <\/span>\u201cstructurally and psychologically akin to gambling.\u201d<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 <\/span>Of 13 studies into the behavior of gamers who spend on loot boxes, <\/span>12 showed a clear correlation<\/span><\/a> between the use of loot boxes and problem gambling behaviour, under the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) measure.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to a study conducted by the <\/span>Royal Society<\/span><\/a>, \u201cl<\/span>oot boxes either cause problem gambling among older adolescents, allow game companies to profit from adolescents with gambling problems for massive monetary rewards, or both of the above.\u201d According to the <\/span>Mayo Clinic<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>gambling during childhood or the teenage years increases the risk of developing compulsive gambling as an adult.<\/span> In short, <\/span>when pare<\/b>nts<\/b> allow adolescents to buy loot boxes, they may be exposing them to lifelong negative consequences<\/b>.<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2021\/10\/11085831\/Lootboxes_Blog_Insideimage_Desktop.png” alt=”Are loot boxes dangerous for kids?” title_text=”Lootboxes_Blog_Insideimage_Desktop” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Why are kids more susceptible to gambling behavior than adults?<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]Compulsive or <\/span>problem gambling may be stronger in younger people than it is in the adult population for various reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n