Chinese experts call for curbing internet addiction among minors

BEIJING -- Chinese experts have called for joint efforts from the whole society to reduce internet addiction among minors, as a growing number of parents are concerned that their children spend too much time in front of digital screens.

China had a total of 175 million internet users under the age of 18, which means 93.1 percent of Chinese minors have access to the internet, according to a report on internet use among minors for 2019.

Addressing the issue of excessive internet use requires contributions from the government, companies, schools and families, said participants of a seminar held by the CyberSecurity Association of China (CSAC) and a research association for juvenile delinquency prevention

Internet service providers should take more social responsibility to ensure the sustainable development of the industry as well as the healthy growth of the younger generation, said Zhao Hongzhi with the CSAC.

In October, China revised the Law on the Protection of Minors to strengthen the protection of minors in cyberspace, requiring internet product and service providers not to offer minors products and services that induce addiction.

Providers of online services, including games, livestreaming, audio and video, and social media, shall set up corresponding functions such as time limits and consumption limits for minors, according to the revised law.

Song Wenzhen, an official with the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council, recommended the approach to address internet addiction by enriching minors' cognitive channels and encouraging them to learn and practice in nature.