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FrancoAngeli Journals

Saggi, Studi e Ricerche

No. 65-66 (2024)

FreeLudo: An innovative ICT platform targeting primary prevention of Gambling Disorder

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/mis65-66-2024oa17509
Submitted
marzo 18, 2024
Published
2024-07-31

Abstract

FreeLudo is an innovative project targeting the primary prevention of DSM-5 Gambling Disorder (GD), addressing children aged between 6 and 8 years attending Primary School. An innovative platform has been developed, which enables hybrid online and offline interaction and provides children with questionnaires aimed at better understanding the potential risk factors for the development of GD. Online interaction consists in providing questionnaires through a simple platform video game; after the video game, the platform also proposes social interaction among children by assigning them social challenges and activities. While providing an interactive user awareness on the risk of Gambling Disorders, the platform allows data collection on potential risk behavior. The paper summarizes the preliminary results of the platform's first testing phase, conducted on a heterogeneous sample of children aged 6 to 8 years, attending a primary school in the province of Taranto (Apulia, Italy).

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