China is taking a stance against children being addicted to gaming, introducing a harsh restriction that will limit children to only 3 hours of a gaming a week. Is it fair?

Chinese regulators are cracking down on technology use with minors, by setting some rules around when and how much they can use. The current rules are that kids can play gaming consoles for 1.5 hours a day, and 3 hours on public holidays. The new rules will limit children to three hours a week in total.

According to an announcement from the National Press and Publication Administration states that from September 1 under-18s in China can only play games between 8pm and 9pm on Fridays, weekends and on public holidays.

WHY IS CHINA BRINGING IN THESE STRICT RULES?

There have been growing concerns that the large Chinese technology companies behind the gaming brands have too much influence on society. Gaming giant, Tencent had said in August that it would limit gaming time for minors to an hour a day and two hours during holidays, as well as ban children under the age of 12 from making in-game purchases.

For years the Chinese government has been concerned about gaming addiction. For years they have set up clinics which combine therapy and military drills for those with “gaming disorders”.

Now regulators have issues even stricter guidelines that the Chinese gaming giants must now abide to, which will be closely monitored. There will be frequent and thorough inspections to make sure that the large technology companies are doing the right thing.

These rules aren’t something that China will be particularly monitoring individuals for any infractions, but they are more interested in keeping the large technology companies accountable.

Do you think this is fair? Would your kids abide by these rules?