China’s State Internet Administration has proposed restricting smartphone use by children and adolescents aged 18. The proposed law would require the installation of a “minor mode” app on all smartphones that would restrict children’s access to the internet.
The new rules would effectively ban children from using smartphones between 10pm and 6am, and would also limit screen time by age group. Children under 8 would be allowed no more than 40 minutes of screen time per day, children aged 8 to 16 would be allowed no more than one hour, and adolescents aged 16 to 18 would be allowed two hours.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) explained that exceptions would be made for educational apps and emergency services. The law will be open to public comment before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) votes on the new rules.
Chinese Youth and the Internet – Interesting Facts
- 93% – the share of Chinese minors who regularly use the Internet. For reference, 97% of American teenagers are constantly online (as of 2019);
- 24 million – the estimated number of children in China suffering from clinical Internet addiction;
- 3 hours – the existing weekly limit for Chinese children playing video games.