Why does China restrict gaming time for people under the age of 18?

The new rule places enforcement responsibility on the gaming industry’s shoulders, not punishing violators.

Why is China worried about game addiction?

China is the largest video game market in the world. Authorities have long been concerned about internet and gaming addiction among young people, opening treatment centers that combine both therapy and military therapy for those with “gaming disorders”.

The prevalence of myopia in children is also another concern raised in 2018.

A boy plays a game on his phone in Shanghai, August 31, 2021. (Photo: Reuters)

The National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) – the body that approves game titles – said the new rule was in response to growing concerns about the effects of games on physical and mental health. children’s god.

According to the country’s media, about 62.5% of teenagers often play online games, 13.2% of children play mobile games more than 2 hours a day.

What did China do?

In 2017, Tencent said it would limit playing time for young gamers of the game “Honor of Kings” in response to complaints from parents and teachers. A year later, citing rising rates of myopia, Beijing said it was looking at potential measures to limit gaming in children and halted video game approval for nine months.

In 2019, China passed a law to limit the playing time of minors playing games to 1.5 hours on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends, banning playing from 10pm to 8am. Authorities also limit the amount minors spend on game items each month, to a maximum of $28 to $57 depending on age.

In addition, minors must register with their real name and identification number to play the game. Companies like Tencent, NetEase have to set up a system to identify minors.

In July this year, Tencent launched a facial recognition feature called “night patrol”. Parents can activate to ban children from using adult accounts to circumvent the law.

Details of new regulations

The new rule, effective from September 1, prohibits people under 18 from playing online games from Monday to Thursday. They can only play for 1 hour, from 8 pm to 9 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Online game companies must ensure that they have implemented a name authentication system. All games must be connected to the anti-addiction system established by the NPPA. The NPPA told Xinhua News Agency that it will increase the frequency and intensity of inspections of online game companies to ensure they comply with regulations.

Authorities also strengthened sanctions against game companies in violation, increasing fines after inspection. More than 10,000 titles were reviewed in 2020.

Since minors can still use their parents’ accounts to circumvent the law, parents and schools need to strengthen supervision.