“Digital wellbeing is a hugely relevant issue in our field, and it's vital that we work together to ensure the best outcomes for our young people.” - Favill Gill, Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust

In this interview, I speak with Favill Gill from Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) about the crucial work YGAM is doing to prevent gaming and gambling harms among children and young people.

Favill, the engagement manager for YGAM in the South West, shared valuable insights into the organisation's mission. Established in 2014, YGAM aims to equip professionals, educators, and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to identify and address gaming and gambling-related risks faced by youth. Through free training sessions and resources, YGAM has made a significant impact in schools and educational settings across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Our conversation highlighted the concerning trends in youth gaming and gambling, with a growing normalisation of activities like loot boxes and in-game microtransactions. Favill shed light on the importance of educating parents and professionals about these risks and empowering young people to make informed choices in the digital landscape.

Favill emphasised the critical role of education in mitigating gaming and gambling harms. By integrating age-appropriate information and social resistance skills into education, YGAM aims to create a safer online environment and reduce stigma surrounding these issues. Through initiatives like the Castle Conference, YGAM seeks to amplify its impact and reach a broader audience with its message of prevention and safeguarding.

If you're interested in learning more about YGAM's training programs and resources, you can visit their website at YGAM.org or reach out directly to Favill at favillgill@ygam.org.

I'd also like invite you to come to The Castle Conference, where YGAM are going to be one of our exhibitors. With engaging speakers, interactive sessions, and a diverse line-up of exhibitors, the conference promises to be a hub of knowledge-sharing and collaboration in the field of digital safety. To book your ticket visit icaw-cic.com/events

You can listen to this conversation on Spotify here

The video of our conversation is available on YouTube here