Staying Ahead of the Game: The Youth Prevention Center Tackles Addictions Head On
Youth Sector Requires Extensive Action, according to Prevention Center - Youth Prevention Undertaking: Significant tasks ahead in youth-related matters
Let's face it, we're all hooked on our phones and social media these days, but it's not all bad. The Prevention Center for Behavioral Addictions (PZVS) is on a mission to help the younger generation avoid falling into the trap of unhealthy tech habits. Sophie Schmid, the project leader, shares the center's groundbreaking work and the challenges they've faced during their first year.
"We've been in the game for a year now, and we've realized there's plenty more where that came from," Schmid said in a conversation with dpa. "There's a huge demand for prevention, especially in regards to young people. Schools and parents are reaching out for support and advice about preventing addictive behaviors."
The PZVS, which launched on March 20, 2024, is focused on gambling addiction, media use, gaming addiction, and other areas like extreme porn consumption and excessive shopping. In their inaugural year, the team has been busy collecting information, creating concepts, and engaging with target groups.
"It's all about distinguishing between normal behaviors and pathological behavior," Schmid explains. "Sure, we're all scrolling and playing games, but our objective is to prevent these behaviors from spiraling out of control, becoming problematic or even pathological."
To achieve this, the team visits schools, companies, and kindergartens, launching campaigns in public spaces. They aim to raise awareness about the mechanisms behind games and apps, helping youth make more conscious decisions about their screen-time. They also offer workshops and lectures for professionals and multipliers.
"One of our essential goals is to help youth understand the psychology behind games and apps, to prevent them from becoming victims of automatisms in their consumption," Schmid adds.
The PZVS works closely with schools and youth organizations, using mindfulness exercises and apps to help control and increase awareness of media consumption. However, if someone is already struggling with an addiction, they are better off seeking help from professional organizations like the Center for Behavioral Addiction of Caritas or Deck24 Gambling Counseling.
Companies can also benefit from the PZVS's support, as they work to prevent addiction by offering stress management techniques and developing measures with employees to address media use, pornography consumption, and gambling addiction.
So, what can you do to help keep your young ones on the right track? Start by setting boundaries, monitoring their screen time, engaging in activities together, encouraging physical activities, and fostering creative interests. Make screen-free zones and times a priority, and don't shy away from using technology to control screen time and promote healthier habits. Lastly, maintain open communication by keeping the lines of dialogue open and encouraging your children to open up about their screen use habits and any challenges they face.
- The Commission, in its role of implementing the European Union's action plan for the environment, has also been involved in the preparation of the report on the PZVS's work, which focuses on the prevention of behavioral addictions such as gambling addiction, media use, gaming addiction, and extreme porn consumption among youth.
- As part of its commitment to tackling addictive behaviors, the PZVS has scheduled workshops and lectures for 2024, aiming to educate both professionals and multipliers on the principles behind games and apps, helping them guide youth towards making more conscious decisions about their screen-time.
- The PZVS's principle of distinguishing between normal behaviors and pathological behavior extends to its approach with companies, where it offers stress management techniques and collaborates with employers to develop measures addressing media use, pornography consumption, and gambling addiction, all geared towards promoting healthier habits.
