THE76% of alcohol sellers (3 out of 4) do not check the age of those asking to purchase it, while in gambling only 4 out of 10 minors have their age checked. Only 3 out of 10 minors know what counterfeit products are. These are some data that emerged from the study Sold to minors, on the access of under 18s to products prohibited to them. An investigation conducted by Moige, Italian Parents Movementwith the Piepoli Institute.
From alcohol to porn. The Moige study on products banned yet sold to minors
The 2023 survey involved 1,359 children between the ages of 10 and 17. The data confirms that alcohol, smoking, gambling and pornography are sold to minors even though they are forbidden to them. It is also «unacceptable», according to Antonio Affinita, General Director of MOIGE, «that there is no law that prohibits the sale of light cannabis to minors as well as a law that regulates the sale of 18+ video games».
The study therefore revealed that traders do not check the age of the buyer, and they sell without problems even to buyers clearly under the permitted age. «A phenomenon that represents a challenge for society, e requires a coordinated response from parents, educators, institutions, producers and traders», continues Affinita.
Alcohol, 3 out of 4 retailers do not verify age
96% of the sample interviewed is aware of the fact that alcohol can have harmful consequences on health. 3 out of 4 interviewees say they have talked about it in their family and their parents have warned them. 9 out of 10 children declare that their teachers have also addressed the topic in class. Nonetheless, more than half of the minors interviewed (57%) have drunk alcohol at least once and 4% do so regularly (double that of 2021, when the figure was 2%). Minors drink alcohol mainly to feel more energetic and cheerful (11%), relax (10%), and be more sociable (6%).
Pornography, 70% watch it alone, 21% with friends
42% of those interviewed have seen pornographic content at least once, which is considered harmful to the mental well-being of minors by only 40% of those interviewed (-2% from 2021). For 1 boy in 2 videos, porn films and photos are illegal for children under 18, while for 34% it is sufficient to watch them with an adult, for 16% it is enough to be at least 14 years old.
70% of those interviewed watch this content alone, 21% with friends of the same age, 6% with their boyfriend/girlfriend, 2% with older friends and 1% with adults. 43% learned about pornographic content from friends, 18% looked for it on the internet.
The most used medium is the smartphone (34%), followed by tablets and pay TV (both 6%), and home computers (5%). Pornographic materials are sold to minors mainly online (40%, +1% from 2021). But also on stalls (20%, +3% from 2021). In 63% of cases the age of the buyer is not verified, but, even when this happens, only 56% refuse sales to minors.
Smoking is bad but minor smokers increase
Smoking is bad for you: 96% of the sample interviewed knows this. 85% know that it can lead to serious and permanent consequences (85%): a decline in awareness among young people if we compare it with 2021, when it was at 93%. Young people, therefore, are more “indulgent” towards these products, and 30% (+7% compared to 2021) have smoked at least one cigarette. Of these, 10% do it regularly, a percentage which is double compared to the last survey.
Minors smoke mainly for curiosity (19%) and for to chill out (10%). 71% of smokers do it in company. 53% have only tried or smoke occasionally, among smokers, the majority (28%) smoke between 1 and 5 cigarettes, but 7% reach a whole pack of 20 per day (in 2021 it was 4%) and 1% smoke more than a pack daily (data remained unchanged).
Cigarettes are mainly purchased at tobacconists (47%) where 64% of sellers have not verified their age (+2% compared to 2021) and 1 in 3 did not deny the sale even knowing that it was a minor. Or from distributors (18%), using the health card of older friends (56%) if requested.
Electronic cigarettes sold to minors, often with nicotine
33% of those interviewed have smoked an electronic cigarette at least once (in 2021 it was 19%). 4% of those interviewed smoke it habitually, compared to 1% in the previous survey. 44% use liquids that contain nicotine, and 71% of young people declare that they are usually not asked for their document to verify their age (68% in 2021). In 68% of cases, the seller did not refuse the sale, even knowing that they were minors.
Cannabis Light, legal or not? The regulatory vacuum
6% of those interviewed (+2%) have tried cannabis light. 26% of those interviewed (+7%) believe it is legal and that smoking is possible, 17% (-2%) believe it is legal on medical prescription, 24% (-9%) declare that it is a collector’s product not suitable for combustion. 33% (+3%), however, consider it illegal.
Regarding the places where light cannabis is purchased, the share of those among retailers who have correctly verified the age before delivering the product is decreasing (24% +5% in ’21). While the overall share of those who, after verification, actually refused to sell the product because the buyer was a minor is increasing (38% in 2021 vs 33% in 2023).
18% have gambled at least once
83% (-4% compared to 2021) of young people are aware of the fact that often playing games with cash winnings can have negative consequences, but only 47% (-9%) believe that these can be serious and permanent . 79% know that this type of activity is prohibited for children under 18, 7% believe that the minimum age is 16, for 5% it is sufficient to be 14 and for 9% it is never prohibited.
18% (+4% compared to 2021) have played at least once at betting agencies, bars, tobacconists, bingo halls, or other similar places. The most widespread type of game among minors is Scratch and win (37%), followed by sports betting (21%), slot machines and lottery games (both 9%). At commercial businesses, only 41% say their age was checked (with an improvement of 6% compared to 2021), 57% of managers did not refuse to let a minor play.
As regards, however, online gaming with cash winnings, 13% have played it at least once (+7% since the last survey). Online, mainly sports betting is done (7%), but also poker (in all its variants), bingo, casino and video lottery.
On 71% of sites there are notices declaring that game illegal for children under 18, but at the time of registration, either the age is not asked (27%), or, simply, the kids are lying (53%) .
Violent video games, even for more than 2 hours a day
Young people playing video games are increasing, only 28% declare they never play them (-10% compared to 2021). 32% play for over 2 hours a day (+4%), 71% play connected online (36% always or often). 36% play alone, while 34% play with friends connected online, 20% play with friends in person and 3% play with strangers connected online. The favorite games are action and adventure games (38%), but also sports (18%). The most used device is the smartphone (47%), followed by video game consoles (37%).
38% of minors interviewed believe that games with violent or vulgar content have no consequences on their mental well-being (+6% from 2021). 10% (+2% from 2021) believe that there are no bans on games with violent and vulgar content, and 61% admit to having played at least once video games prohibited for their age (+5%).
Counterfeit products sold to minors, only 3 in 10 know what it means
Only 3 out of 10 kids know how to give a correct definition of what counterfeit goods are. 74% know that it is a global phenomenon, for 5% it is something limited to Asia. 71% know that counterfeiting can affect products in any sector, while 13% believe it is limited to luxury categories or clothing.
Do you sell counterfeit products to minors? 79% of young people are aware that when purchasing online they may come across non-original products, and that it is consumers, businesses, the state and workers who are harmed (option chosen by 51%). 8%, on the other hand, believe that no one will be harmed. 40% know that using this category of products can have consequences for health and the environment, but 35% think that the purchase of counterfeit goods does not imply any sanction or measure, but that it is just incorrect behaviour.
1 in 2 young people have unintentionally purchased a counterfeit product online.
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