Once again the shocking news has come out on the internet. China, one of the world’s largest nations, is taking significant steps to tackle internet addiction among its youth by introducing a proposal to tighten screen time regulations. The aim of this move is to promote “good morality” and “socialist values” in young individuals, as stated by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the country’s primary internet watchdog.
China Looks Their Phones Limit Children To 2 Hours A Day
Under the new measures, a “minor mode” will be introduced in all mobile devices, apps, and app stores. This mode will limit daily screen time, with the duration varying according to age group, to a maximum of two hours. This initiative builds upon previous efforts by Beijing to restrict children’s screen time and protect them from accessing “undesirable information.”
According to the information, minors will have their applications automatically closed once they reach their allocated screen time. The minor mode will also provide “age-based content,” preventing access to screens between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The screen time allowances will differ based on age groups: children under eight years old will be limited to 40 minutes per day, eight to sixteen-year-olds to one hour, and teenagers between sixteen and eighteen will have a maximum of two hours. Additionally, devices will issue reminders for users to take breaks every 30 minutes of usage.
Furthermore, mobile internet service providers are encouraged to generate content that promotes “core socialist values” and fosters a sense of national unity. However, it is important to note that these proposed measures are not absolute. Parents retain the ability to override time restrictions, and specific educational and emergency services will be exempt from the time limits.
Internet addiction has become a pressing social issue in China, leading to the emergence of controversial rehabilitation centers offering questionable treatment methods. Despite concerns, some parents support the new proposal, believing that it will instill healthier screen habits and expose children to more beneficial content.
China boasts a massive internet user base, with nearly 1.07 billion of its 1.4 billion population being connected online. Approximately one in five of these users is under the age of 19. The success of these measures may heavily rely on parental cooperation, as children often access online content using their parents’ accounts. This development may pose challenges for technology companies that are expected to implement these regulations. Nevertheless, the initial announcement of the proposal led to a significant drop in share prices for top internet firms.