Hong Kong. China is taking significant steps to address internet addiction among children and teenagers by introducing new measures that restrict the amount of time they can spend on their phones. The proposal, released by the Cyberspace Administration of China, aims to cultivate “good morality” and “socialist values” among minors while reducing their exposure to “undesirable information.”
The draft proposal, open for public discussion until September 2, mandates that all mobile devices, apps, and app stores include a built-in “minor mode” to limit daily screen time. The restrictions will vary based on age groups, allowing a maximum of two hours of screen time per day.
Under the proposed rules, children and teenagers using devices on minor mode will have online applications automatically close when their respective time limits are reached. They will also be provided with “age-based content.” Additionally, individuals under 18 will not be allowed to access their screens between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when using the mode.
The proposed time limits are as follows: children under eight years old can use their phones for only 40 minutes a day, those aged eight to 16 get an hour of screen time, and teenagers between 16 and 18 are allowed a maximum of two hours.
Furthermore, all age groups will receive reminders to take breaks after using their devices for more than 30 minutes.
The draft also calls for mobile internet service providers to create content that promotes “core socialist values” and strengthens a “sense of community of the Chinese nation.”
The proposal allows parents to override time restrictions, and certain educational and emergency services will not be subject to these limitations.
The issue of “internet addiction” has become a major concern in recent years, leading to the rise of dubious and potentially dangerous boot-camp style treatment centers.
The proposal is widely supported by parents who see it as an opportunity to protect their children’s eyesight and manage their screen time. Myopia has become a national health concern in China, with some experts linking it to excessive screen time and lack of exposure to sunlight.
China has one of the world’s largest internet user bases, with approximately 1.07 billion out of 1.4 billion people having access to the web, according to the China Internet Network Information Center. Approximately one in five users are aged 19 or younger.
The effectiveness of the proposed measures may depend on parental buy-in, as children sometimes use their parents’ accounts to access online content.
The implementation of these measures could present challenges for tech companies, which are typically responsible for enforcing regulations. As the news of the proposal broke, the Hong Kong-listed shares of some of China’s top internet firms experienced a sharp decline, though they have since stabilized.
In the past, Chinese regulators have introduced similar measures to limit screen time among minors, and tech companies have complied by providing parental control features.
As the proposal undergoes public discussion, it remains to be seen how it will shape the future of phone usage among minors in China.
China wants to limit minors to no more than two hours a day on their phones
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
