Strictly supervised screen time
These measures, announced by theChinese Cyberspace Administration (CAC), aim to limit screen time and protect young people from inappropriate content and unsafe interactions. Thus, smartphones will all have to have a built-in minor mode.
So, time restrictions will be imposed depending on the age of users : one hour per day for those under 16 and two hours per day between 16 and 18 years old. Additionally, underage users will receive a reminder to take a break after 30 minutes of continuous use and will not be able to use their smartphone between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., except for parental exceptions.
The mode will include a content filter age-appropriate to avoid exposure to inappropriate information and limitations of interactions on social networks (when you think that Tiktok is an invention of ByteDance…). Finally, it will be impossible to communicate with strangers and the visibility of publications will be controlled. Essential communications services, such as calls and text messages, will remain accessible for security reasons.
How to put it into practice?
The CAC requires cooperation between smartphone manufacturers and application developers to ensure the interoperability of this mode across all devices. These companies will have the obligation to strengthen user age verifications and provide robust parental control tools, with anti-circumvention mechanisms commensurate with the genius / craving of our offspring. However, activating this mode remains at the discretion of the parents, China is planning measures to guarantee its effectiveness.
More broadly, this initiative is part of a global movement aimed at better regulating young people’s access to technologies. OfficiallyMeta has expressed support for legislation requiring app stores to seek parental approval for downloading apps by those under 16.
The fact remains that if we look at the T&Cs (absolutely, some of us read them), we notice, for example, on Instagram: To register on Instagram, you must be at least 13 years old. Each person can confirm their age by providing their date of birth, presenting a photo ID and/or submitting a selfie video.
In France, there is a numerical majority set at 15 years legally fixed, but this limit is difficult to enforce.
Disclaimer: the confiscated iPhone was not damaged during the writing of this news…
