China wants children not to use smartphones for more than two hours a day
Children aged 16-18 will only be allowed to use mobile phones for up to 2 hours a day, younger children will get even lesser time.
In an effort to combat internet addiction and instil “good morality” and “socialist values” in young people, China is putting up new regulations to limit how much time children and teenagers can spend on their phones. The top internet censorship body in China, the Cyberspace Administration of China, has proposed that all mobile devices, apps, and app stores have a built-in “minor mode” that limits daily screen time to a maximum of two hours per day, depending on the age group.
If authorised, the limits would increase recent policies Beijing has implemented to limit children’s screen time and their exposure to “undesirable information.” The proposed regulations would automatically close internet applications for kids and teenagers using devices in minor mode when their allotted time periods were up.
They are available for public comment until September 2nd. Also available to them would be “age-based content.” The mode would prevent anyone under the age of 18 from accessing their displays between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Only 40 minutes a day of phone use would be permitted for kids under eight, while an hour would be allowed for kids aged eight to sixteen. Teenagers aged 16 to 18 are permitted two hours. A reminder to take a break after using a gadget for more than 30 minutes will be sent to users of all ages. Additionally, the statement advises mobile internet service providers to actively provide content that “disseminates core socialist values” and “builds a sense of community of the Chinese nation.”
Parents have supported this proposal made by the government. A mother of two from Eastern China said, “On the one hand, it can protect their vision as many young kids cannot stop themselves while watching something they like and it will be easier for us parents to take control of their screen time.” China’s national health is now at risk due to myopia, which some experts attribute to excessive screen time or a lack of sunlight exposure for young people.
