Argentina: Chubut launches gambling prevention program for kids

The government of Chubut province, in southern Argentina, has rolled out "Clic para cuidar" ("Click to Care"), a printed educational resource designed to address problem gambling and digital overconsumption among children and teenagers. 

The initiative, presented in the provincial capital of Rawson, aims to deploy a structured, school-based tool specifically targeting online gambling risks in minors.

The resource was developed jointly by Chubut's Ministry of Education and its Health Secretariat, with backing from the Instituto de Asistencia Social, Lotería del Chubut, the provincial lottery's social welfare arm. 

More than 1,000 copies will be distributed across primary and secondary schools, targeting students aged 10 to 13, while also serving as a resource for teachers, families and health professionals, including addiction specialists and pediatric care teams.

The booklet is divided into four thematic units covering digital citizenship and the legal framework for minors online, problematic digital use with a focus on gambling, intersectoral responsibility across schools, health systems and families, and classroom activities tailored to different grade levels.

Analía Alfaro, Coordinator of the Educational Guidance and Support Team said: "Prevention is, above all, the reconstruction of social bonds and the defense of the vulnerability of our children."

Valeria Nazar, Provincial Director of Addiction Prevention and Assistance, noted that digital environments are now social spaces where children build identity, study and connect, making adult guidance a necessity rather than an option. The program also includes ongoing training sessions throughout the year for educators and health workers.

The booklet, authored by psychologists Jimena Petriello and Sebastián Quinteros, will be available in PDF format on both the Health Secretariat and Ministry of Education websites, extending its reach beyond the classroom.