Smartphones: an unprecedented restriction for young Chinese
This is not China's first success in terms of digital regulation. After imposing strict limits on the Internet or video games, the government is now targeting the use of smartphones. Concretely, the “minor mode” imagined by the Chinese Cyberspace Administration (CAC) would limit the use of those under 16 to one hour per day. Young people aged 16 to 18 would benefit from a little more freedom, with two hours allowed.
This initiative does not stop there. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., any application will be blocked, except in exceptions validated by parents. Additionally, an alert will remind miners to take a break after 30 minutes of continuous use. For obvious security reasons, minors will nevertheless always have access to basic communication services (messages, calls, etc.).
Beyond screen time, the CAC intends to regulate accessible content. “Minor mode” must include filters preventing access to inappropriate information. Only educational, informative or entertaining content deemed “positive” will be authorized, in particular to promote socialist values among young people. Interactions on social networks will also be restricted. Young people will not be able to interact with strangers or publish too visibly..
Who else could apply this kind of measures?
Setting up such a system requires seamless cooperation between smartphone manufacturers, application developers and platforms like Apple or Google. These companies will have to integrate “minor mode” and guarantee that it works on all devices. Apps will also need to be modified to meet the new guidelines. A mammoth task, but Beijing has a habit of imposing its vision on big companies. Note that this minor mode proposed by China will not be mandatory according to BFMTV. Parents will have the option to activate it or not on their children's smartphones.
Control of screens among minors extends beyond Chinese borders. In Australia, discussions aim to ban social networks for under 16s. In the United Kingdom, similar discussions are underway. In Europe, the Online Safety Code already imposes new rules to protect young people. In France, some recommend banning social networks for under 15s.
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