China drafts new rules to curb internet addiction among children and teens
- Online regulator says proposed rules will apply to anyone under 18 and public will have a month to submit feedback
- A ‘minor mode’ would restrict daily usage according to age group, though parents can opt out of using the function
China’s online regulator has launched a public consultation on proposed rules aimed at curbing internet addiction and fostering socialist values among children and teenagers.
They will apply to anyone aged under 18, and the Cyberspace Administration of China on Wednesday said the public would have a month to submit feedback.
The CAC said the rules had been drafted to “improve the positive role of the internet, create a favourable network environment, prevent and intervene in minors’ internet addiction problems, and guide minors to form good internet use habits”.
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Under existing rules, tech companies are required to apply a “youth mode” function to control gaming and content for users aged under 16. In youth mode, for example, users are barred from conducting live-streaming broadcasts or giving gifts to live-streamers.
The new rules propose a “minor mode” that would apply to users up to the age of 18. That mode would have a multi-tiered control system restricting the daily usage for children and teenagers according to their age group. For example, it would include a “curfew” from 10pm to 6am barring anyone under 18 from accessing the internet during that period.
However, parents will be able to opt out of the minor mode function, as is the case for youth mode.
The CAC said the youth mode function had already helped to curb internet addiction and reduce the influence of harmful content on young users.
