In China, people under the age of 18 can play online games for only 2 hours a week

Beijing, August 31, 2021, Tuesday

The Chinese government has enacted a rule that under the age of 18 can play only 3 hours a week, keeping in mind the growing contamination of online gaming and its impact on society. According to a directive from the National Press and Publications Administration, children can play online games from Friday evening to Saturday and Sunday evening from 6pm to 8pm. According to the guidelines of the director who keeps watch on video games in the country, when there is a public holiday, children will be able to play the game for only one hour at the scheduled time.

Earlier, people up to the age of 15 were allowed to play 30 minutes of video games per day, which has now been reduced. The Chinese communist government wanted to protect its children and adolescents from the negative effects of online gaming habits, such as eye damage and psychological effects. Remember that online game developers around the world considered China a very important market. According to the Audio Video and Digits Publishing Association of China, the gaming industry earned 50 billion in the first quarter of this year. Chinese officials compared the online game to opium. The purpose of reducing online game time is to control this activity.

To know the age of an online game rum user in China, one has to register with an identity card. No online game can be played without registration. Online game companies have also been strictly instructed not to provide this service illegally beyond the stipulated time. The Chinese government has previously taken a hard line on companies such as Alibaba Group's technology company and Tencent. The Chinese government has tightened restrictions on online gaming, reducing the market value of shares of related companies. However, no explanation has been given as to what kind of punishment will be given to those who break the rules.