Chinese regulators have proposed new rules that would limit smartphone usage for individuals under the age of 18 to a maximum of two hours per day.

The proposed rules also include a “minor mode” that would prevent users under 18 from accessing the internet on their mobile devices from 10 pm to 6 am.

Under the proposed regulations, users aged 16 to 18 would be allowed two hours of smartphone usage per day, children aged eight to 16 would be given one hour, and children under eight would be limited to eight minutes.

The move comes as authorities in China express growing concerns about myopia rates and internet addiction among young people. The proposed rules could have implications for companies that run major mobile apps in China, such as TikTok’s owner, ByteDance.

Time limits

Providers would be required to set time limits under the proposed reforms but could allow parents to opt-out of these restrictions for their children.

If implemented, these new regulations could pose challenges for internet companies and may require significant efforts and costs to comply with the new requirements.

The draft guidelines are open to public feedback until September 2nd.