Yes, but kids these days definitely have way more options and influences than we did back in the day. I mean, we had arcade games and ball pits. But kids now have these crazy immersive virtual worlds and apps on their phones. Some of them can get pretty addictive too - like those loot box things in video games. My little cousin was telling me how he spends his allowance trying to get rare skins or something. Seems harmless, but it kinda reminds me of playing slots you know? Except he's not winning money, just digital stuff and still gives that dopamine rush though.
And with all these streamers and YouTubers that are popular with kids, they see this kinda gambling-type stuff normalized. Like it's no big deal. But it can be once youre hooked. I dunno, I just think about how much more impressionable I was as a 10 year old. If this was around back then I probably would've been begging my parents for money to buy V-Bucks too! But at least parents are way more tech-savvy now and can keep tabs better. Still, kinda crazy how fast things change and makes me wonder what kinda stuff my kids will be into.
As long as they don't end up spending my retirement fund on ultra-rare Fortnite skins or something!