China has developed rules to protect minors online
The internet opens up a world of knowledge and communication for children, but at the same time creates risks that can affect their mental health and safety. Protecting minors in the digital environment requires not prohibitions but thoughtful mechanisms that take into account their age and development. China is proposing a new approach that could become a benchmark for other countries.
The Cyberspace Administration of China has developed a set of rules to ensure healthy and safe internet use by minors, containing a number of provisions for relevant service providers. The draft was published on Friday and is open for public discussion until October 17. The draft encourages research, development and production of intelligent terminal devices specifically designed for minors and taking into account the laws and characteristics of their physical and mental development, as well as internet technologies and services that promote the healthy development of minors.
The draft states that minors should not be exposed to online social networks with strangers, virtual intimate relationship services, and online services that cause addiction in minors or harm their physical and mental health. Internet services for minors under 16, such as online social networks and artificial intelligence services that may affect minors' cognitive abilities, may be provided only in minor mode.
The document also specifies the functions of minor mode, which include identifying information on the internet harmful to the physical and mental health of minors, protecting the rights and interests of minors regarding personal information, preventing internet addiction among minors and assisting guardians in performing their guardianship duties. According to the 57th statistical report on internet development in China, as of December 2025, there were more than 200 million internet users aged 6 to 19 in the country.
As the influence of social networks on the mental well-being, behaviour and safety of minors becomes increasingly evident, more and more countries and regions have recently begun to explore ways to raise the legal threshold for minors' use of social media platforms, said Wang Zhiqin, deputy director of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. The draft proposes a model of online protection for minors with Chinese characteristics, representing a positive response to the global trend towards strengthening online protection of minors, Wang added.
As reported by CCTV+, the new rules aim to create a safe digital environment for children and adolescents. Public discussion will continue until October 17, after which the document may be finalised taking into account the proposals received.
