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| A man plays an online game on a computer at an internet cafe in Beijing, China, Aug 31, 2021. (File photo by= Reuters/Florence Lo) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] SHANGHAI: Chinese state media said loopholes allowing minors to bypass new rules aimed at curbing gaming playtime to three hours per week should be removed to "prevent addiction", Reuters reported.
China introduced new rules in August limiting the number of time under-18s can spend on video games to three hours a week, a move it said was necessary to combat gaming addiction, but causing young Chinese gamers to express outrage at the rules. "On some online trading platforms, there are game account rental and sales businesses, users can bypass the supervision by renting and buying accounts and play online games without restrictions. This means that there are still loopholes for teenagers to enter online gaming, which is worthy of attention," a commentary in the Communist Party's official People's Daily newspaper said on Monday (Oct 11).
The commentary added that some game trading platforms have said that strict measures have been taken to prohibit minors from buying, selling, and renting accounts. Gaming enterprises must "actively fulfill social responsibilities", "be responsible for the healthy growth of the next generation" and "promote the healthy development of the industry". Families and schools are also urged to create a conducive environment "for the healthy growth of minors", the commentary shared, especially parents, as some minors use their identities to register for a gaming account.
