In China, the rules for the use of mobile Internet by children were put up for discussion
The Cyberspace Administration of China has submitted for discussion and comments a draft of new rules for the use of mobile devices and the Internet for minors in order to effectively strengthen their online protection.
Thus, the "Guidelines for building a mobile Internet model for minors", which provides for the creation of a safe and healthy network environment for young people, has been submitted for consideration. The project is open to comments and suggestions from the public, and all segments of the population can take an active part in the discussion.
The "Guide" suggests building secondary models of the mobile Internet, that is, switching children's smartphones to a "minor" mode, which provides that smart mobile terminals, applications and application distribution platforms should provide users of different ages with information and services suitable for their physical and mental development by evaluating the types of products, content and functions on based on the characteristics of physical and mental development at different ages.
The age classification scheme is divided into the following five age intervals: up to 3 years; from 3 to 8 years; from 8 to 12 years; from 12 to 16 years; from 16 to 18 years.
Each age has its own time management: children under 8 years of age can access mobile Internet for no more than 40 minutes a day, from 8 to 15 years - no more than an hour a day, and teenagers from 16 to 17 years — no more than two hours a day. Moreover, every half hour the device should remind the user about the need to take a break.
If the daily usage time limit is exceeded, the mobile smart terminal should automatically close other applications, except for certain necessary applications and those that have been approved by the parent. At the same time, access to the mobile Internet will be closed for minors from 22:00 to 6:00.
The exceptions are applications for educational purposes, services to protect personal safety, calling emergency services and certified physical and mental development programs and online courses, some image processing applications. In addition, applications can be included/excluded from the parent user settings.
When a young user exits secondary mode, parents must confirm and agree based on the existing authentication mechanism.
The draft rules are a continuation of China's policy to limit the impact of online games on children and adolescents. It is being discussed until September 2023.
In 2021, China has already introduced a rule according to which gaming platforms can provide services to minors only from 20:00 to 21:00 on Fridays, weekends and holidays.
ORIENT news
