Young Chinese people play computer games at a trade fair in Hong Kong.
Picture: AFP
Between 8 pm and 9 pm on Friday, 1 hour on Saturday and Sunday: these are the time periods when Chinese youth will be allowed to play video games in the future. National News Agency reported.
MeterIn the future, Chinese children can only play online for three hours a week. As the state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday, the authorities introduced new regulations that minors under the age of 18 can only play for one hour on Friday evenings from 8 pm to 9 pm, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. At all other times, companies should be prohibited from providing games.
It said that the corresponding review will be strengthened. The company also needs to ensure that players log in with their real names.
“Spiritual Opium”
Since China is concerned that young people may become addicted to playing online for too long, providers must strictly regulate their services in advance. Recently, it is allowed to play for one and a half hours per day, and it can be played for three hours on public holidays. In a government publication a few weeks ago, video games were described as the “opium of intelligence” for young Chinese.
When the new rules are introduced, regulators are tightening the thumbscrews of the entire technology industry. According to people familiar with the matter, the Beijing government also wants to significantly restrict Chinese technology companies’ IPOs in the United States. Affected by this, the stock prices of many companies have fallen sharply.
