Online gaming, sports betting, drugs: the Justice system strengthens protections for minors

During a training workshop dedicated to the support and management of addictive behaviors among minors in Thiès and Diourbel, the Director General of Judicial and Social Protection indicated that these two regions are facing significant social changes which promote the emergence of new risks among young people.

“Thiès is experiencing an intensification of mobility and rapid urbanization which, among other things, promotes the circulation of psychoactive substances and the development of risky practices among young people,” stressed Ms. Aïssé Gassama Tall.

In Diourbel, she observed that migratory flows and the vulnerable situations of some minors also constitute factors of exposure to the phenomena of addiction and marginalization.

Beyond the consumption of psychoactive substances, the Director-General emphasized the emergence of digital addictions, which are increasingly affecting young people. According to her, online gaming, sports betting, and excessive use of social media now constitute new forms of addiction that are no longer limited to large cities.

Faced with this evolution of behaviours, Aïssé Gassama Tall believes that traditional child protection mechanisms must be adapted in order to better respond to problems where social, family, psychological and digital factors intertwine.

Strengthening the skills of field actors

In response to this situation, the Directorate General for Judicial and Social Protection is committed to strengthening the technical capacities of stakeholders within the jurisdiction of the Thiès Court of Appeal. This involves deepening their knowledge of the different forms of addiction, familiarizing them with early detection tools and motivational interviewing techniques, while also sharing their field experiences.

Fatou Bintou, a symbol of successful reintegration

On the sidelines of the workshop, the Director General of Judicial and Social Protection visited Fatou Bintou, a young woman currently doing an internship in a hotel in Thiès after having benefited from three years of training.

Formerly a minor in danger and a resident of the Thiès Safeguarding Centre, she is one of the beneficiaries of a reintegration program implemented by the Directorate of Judicial and Social Protection.

According to Aïssé Gassama Tall, this program allows approximately 80 young people in conflict with the law, at risk, victims or witnesses, to complete practical internships in companies each year after their training course.

The Director General reiterated that one of the main challenges remains the socio-professional integration of these young people after their training. Expressing her satisfaction with Fatou Bintou's progress, Aïssé Gassama Tall called on public and private organizations to become more involved in supporting these young people, whom she considers full-fledged citizens entitled to a second chance.