Technology – China severely restricts minors’ access to online games

A video game in a museum in Beijing Photo: AFP

The Chinese authorities have significantly tightened their measures against the reliance of minors on video games on the Internet. In the future, only three hours of consumption per week will be allowed.

China wants to reduce the reliance of minors on online video games by imposing strict restrictions. In the future, children and youth will only be allowed to play three hours a week – Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to 9pm, authorities announced on Monday. Previously, minors were only prohibited from playing online video games between 10pm and 8am.

The goal of the new regulations is to combat gaming dependence. Teachers and doctors in the People’s Republic of China have long complained of children’s poor eyesight, low grades, and lack of physical activity. An influential government newspaper said in early August that video games had become “the opium of my mind”.

Now online games should not be available to minors at all from Monday to Thursday and only for one hour on the other three days. There should be exceptions during holidays – but then minors should only be allowed to play for one hour a day. In order for children and young people to participate in the Games at all, their identity must be verified when logging in.

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