China’s new cyber safety rules to protect minors put burden on internet and tech firms, authorities and schools

New regulations aim for cyber environment that’s good for ‘physical and mental health’ of over 191 million internet users aged under 18

They call for schools to enhance guidance and training for teachers, improve ability to detect internet addiction and intervene at an early stage

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China’s Cyberspace Protection Regulations for Minors come into effect on January 1 and aim to have tech and internet firms as well as government departments and schools work to protect children from what Beijing deems dangers of the internet. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:28pm, 25 Oct 2023Updated: 7:29pm, 25 Oct 2023

China has introduced regulations to step up the protection of minors in cyberspace, in an attempt to fend off risks ranging from internet violence to addiction.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang issued an order last week to pass the Cyberspace Protection Regulations for Minors in a bid to provide a cyber environment that is good for the “physical and mental health” of its more than 191 million internet users younger than 18, according to a state media report on Tuesday.

The new regulations, the first of their kind, stipulate that schools and technology companies should provide terminals, software or apps with special functions to intervene and better protect minors from internet addiction and harmful content.

The rules, which come into effect on January 1, followed 2021 requirements by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) that tech companies apply a “youth mode” to control gaming and content for users aged under 16. In youth mode, for example, users are barred from live-streaming broadcasts or giving gifts to live-streamers.

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China limits online gaming time for young people to 3 hours a week

China is working on another rule to expand the requirements that would see a “curfew” from 10pm to 6am that bars anyone under 18 from accessing the internet during that period, according to a draft released in August.

China’s new cyber safety rules to protect minors put burden on internet and tech firms, authorities and schools

New regulations aim for cyber environment that’s good for ‘physical and mental health’ of over 191 million internet users aged under 18 They call for schools to enhance guidance and training for teachers, improve ability to detect internet addiction and intervene at an early stage

New regulations aim for cyber environment that’s good for ‘physical and mental health’ of over 191 million internet users aged under 18

They call for schools to enhance guidance and training for teachers, improve ability to detect internet addiction and intervene at an early stage