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Beijing has introduced a new system aimed at regulating minors’ device usage and controlling their online content consumption. This poses a fresh challenge for tech companies that are already heavily regulated by the government.
The proposed rules by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) require device manufacturers, operating systems, apps, and app stores to implement a new feature called “minor mode”. This feature will enable the setting of time limits and curfews on device usage, as well as establish an age-based classification system for content.
According to the proposed guidelines, devices with minor mode enabled would be mostly unusable from 10pm to 6am. Minors would also receive pop-up reminders to take breaks after 30 minutes of usage.
The Chinese authorities’ envisioned system would allow certain smartphone functions, such as emergency calls, educational apps, and other parent-approved functions, to continue during curfew hours. Apps synced with devices in minor mode would also function in that mode.
These new measures follow the previous restriction imposed two years ago, which limited minors to three hours of online game time per week in order to combat addiction and promote healthier activities. State-supported media referred to gaming as “spiritual opium” at the time.
The CAC has given tech companies until September 2 to provide feedback on the proposals, but no timeline for implementation has been provided.
Shares in social media giant Tencent, video service Bilibili, and short-video maker Kuaishou witnessed declines of 3%, 7%, and 3.5% respectively, on the Hong Kong stock exchange following the announcement.
“Previous measures may not have been effective, so more detailed and comprehensive regulations are being introduced,” said Li Chengdong, head of the Haitun think-tank. “However, I believe it will still be challenging to implement as children are becoming increasingly clever.”
The rules also require online content providers like ByteDance and Tencent to curate a separate and limited pool of videos and games for users under 18 who have enabled minor mode on their devices.
CAC has stated that content aimed at minors should promote the core values of socialism and the traditional culture of China, with the goal of cultivating their patriotism and moral character.
The rules would also require internet companies to classify content into five different age-based categories, with children under three only being able to access kids songs, and 16 to 18-year-olds being provided with “healthy content”.
A product manager at a short-video group described CAC’s proposal as “overly idealistic and very difficult to implement”. They highlighted the challenges of accurately tagging videos for different age groups. Additionally, if strictly enforced, the product manager warned that it could lead to job losses for video bloggers, game explanation bloggers, and those who share cartoon comics.
Gloria Li contributed reporting from Hong Kong.
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