China tries to limit online gaming hours for kids
Kids overdosing on internet gaming has everyone worried around the world. Recently, China’s National Press and Publication Administration released a notice imposing limits on online gaming for users under 18. According to it, from the 1st of September, video game companies will have to restrict gaming time to three hours per week, from 8 PM to 9 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for minor gamers. The circular stated that the government is worried with the impact online games have on both physical and mental health of minors. This measure is aimed at tackling online game addiction.
How does the measure work?
In order to implement the order around time limits, game companies will have to mandatorily use a real-name-based registration system. There is precedence. In 2018, Tencent used this method to limit play time for Honor of Kings, a popular mobile game, especially with teen group gamers. But the rules are stricter this time.
While logging in to play, users must go through an ID verification system, which means each user can have only one account associated with their real name. Chinese government regulators will check whether gaming companies are complying with this.
What are the loopholes?
There are several loopholes to the system. Adult players can still access games 24 x7. Also, since online gaming is mentioned specifically, solo gamers won’t come under the rule, nor would kids who keep playing games all day on offline systems. Apart from console based games, foreign games might also be outside the reach of Chinese law. Kids using parent’s log-ins and children with access to foreign servers would be able to bend around the rules.
What is the impact on game companies?
Following the government notice, Tencent issued a statement expressing its support and declaring that it will take every step required by the notice. The shares of another popular Chinese game development company, NetEase went down by 8% overnight following the government edict. Several school authorities and parent groups in China have also supported the government notice. But given the gaps in the law, it remains to be seen how effective it actually becomes.