In this issue, Toby Bankole, Youth Coordinator at Northern Sydney LHD, tells us about the Not Kids Business citizen science project.
What was this project trying to achieve?
Children born in this millennium are the first generation to be exposed to saturation marketing of online betting products. The 2020 New South Wales Youth Gambling Study found that 46.1% of 12-17 year olds notice gambling advertising at least weekly. Young people are particularly susceptible to gambling harm, due to misunderstanding of risk and probability of success (Defoe et al, 2015). This project aims to engage young people as citizen scientists to identify opportunities to reduce exposure to gambling marketing to people under the age of 18.
What does the project involve?
Young people will be tasked with capturing gambling related marketing that they are exposed to online and in their local environments. Images will be collated and analysed by students and teachers with support from the project team. Findings will be disseminated in a range of formats to drive advocacy efforts against the issue.
Why did Northern Sydney LHD choose a citizen science approach?
A citizen science approach provides an opportunity to gain a rich understanding of the level of gambling marketing or simulated gambling that young people are exposed to in their everyday lives. By bringing young people, teachers and health professionals together, potential solutions to reduce exposure to gambling marketing and raise awareness of the harms of gambling and gambling advertising can be identified.
Where is the project up to?
We are currently approaching the implementation phase of the project. Final arrangements are being made with the schools taking part, including workshops with students, teachers, parents and carers. We are also testing the tools required to collate and analyse the photovoice data generated by participants.