A Chinese government decree aims for video games players under 18 years of age to play a maximum of 90 minutes per day. Likewise, the time access is restricted between 10 PM at night to 8 AM in the morning. The veto, which limits the use of this recreational option, also stipulates that they can only play for three hours during the weekends; and it is very likely to happen.

Experts believe this decision is part the of population control policies from the Chinese government, since this country has developed a citizen point system and has extended vigilance systems as far as biometric technologies.

The secretary of the Spanish Association for Development Companies (DEV, in Spanish), Emanuele Carisio, says this policy is “unnecessary” and “cannot be applied to the Western world” because, in his opinion, is a “completely different country.”

In addition to this, China wants to limit how much can minors spend in video games. It means that players from eight to 16 years old can only spend 200 Yuan (25 Euros – 28 dollars) a month, while the maximum amount for young players from 16 to 18 years old will be 400 Yuan (50 Euros – 57 dollars).

China is the second consumer of video games, being USA the first one, who is also one of the world’s powers. A clear example of it is Tencent, one of biggest video game companies which own one of the biggest game licenses: Fornite. A video game that became an instant phenomenon and that is one of title that makes more money annually.

According The New York Times, the measure aims to tackle issues like video game addiction, myopia, and “low academic performance in a big part of society.” A spokesperson from the Chinese government cleared that the new rules area meant to create a safe space on the Internet to protect both mental and physical health of minors.

Also, Chinese authorities introduce new technologies for gaming time. The government whishes to end anonymity with the purpose of watching, with the help of authorities, the time used to play video games; so to register and get an online game account, you will have to use your real name and identification.

Since 2018, the government announced the creation of a video game regulator due to the concern in the rise of myopia in children. The purpose is the limit the number of new online video games and to create an age-restrictive-system. Last year, China also ended new game approvals, which lasted for nine month, thus giving a huge blow to such a lucrative industry.

Some of the most powerful video games companies responded proactively, but the application and reliable age verification still raise concerns. Tencent followed the new rules of limiting the gaming time to an hour for players under 12 years of age, and two hours for player between 12 and 18 years of age. The company also began to force players to login with their real names to Honour of Kings, one of its most popular games, so they can limit the connection time.

However, Chinese authorities know that avoiding children to watch thing they should not on video game not only depends on the new norm, but also from the creators. In a statement, the government also asks game producers to “modify the content, functions or rules” of games so they are less addictive.

Since 2014, the Worlds Health Organization (WHO) studies video game addiction. In 2018, it was included in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, which is sent to medical institutions around the globe. Last May, the new classification was accepted in the World Health Assembly.

The WHO defines video game addictions as a “persistent or continuous behavior pattern that can bet offline or online”, also adds “it manifests in the deterioration of the control over the game, increasing the priority given to the game over other interests, doing this despite the negative consequences.”

The most recent manual of the American Psychiatric Association on mental problems does not officially recognize it, but lists video game addiction as a condition in constant study. Some countries have identifies excessive gaming as a major public health issue, many have private clinics to deal with this addiction.