China Bans Internet Services Which 'Induce Addiction' In Children (engadget.com) 35
"China is implementing stricture measures in its bid to keep kids away from addictive digital content," reports Engadget:
The state-backed news agency Xinhua reported (via Reuters) that China has voted for a revamped law that will ban internet products and services which "induce addiction" in kids. Game creators, livestream services and social networks also have to set up time and consumption limits.
The revised measures also give kids and their parents the right to ask internet providers to take "necessary measures" to thwart cyberbullying, including blocking and deleting content.
The updated law will take effect on June 1st, 2021.
OK So China is (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
How about banning the GOP?
Not the best method. (Score:5, Interesting)
China does a lot of horrible shit but this is actually a decent concept. However, the problem is that they are effectively limiting how much heroin you can give to children when the problem isn't really about the amount. What they should be doing is having neuroscientists identifying elements that are habit forming (these are added by design) and then require they be change the gamed or be banned. Limiting the amount of time that can be played is a losing tactic.
This isn't about censorship, this is a field of neuroscience that is being exploited to increase profits.
Re: (Score:2)
And sadly that ship has sailed long ago. The science is here and the knowledge of how to manipulate people and form habits and addiction is out there for every marketer to use. If it's not them, it's governments lobbying their people into hating marketers that will use it.
Re: (Score:3)
The elements that are habit forming are the whole point of making these games.
You're not wrong but that only means the under my plan they would simply refuse to alter the game and thus be blocked from the Chinese market. Capitalism is all about evolutionary optimization and those who would succeed would not be those who are simply blocked.
sadly that ship has sailed long ago.
It has only sailed if you don't have the ability to ban games. Clearly that ability still exists.
Re: (Score:2)
The problem is easy to solve. An encrypted children's only internet, connect children to the education system and they provide a range of internet activities, which also include person to person elements to build social interaction practice.
Re: Not the best method. (Score:1)
China has a number of rules like this. They already have bracketed time limits for Children and games. This is strengthening those measures and while I agree about more research, it is kind of a lot to ask. Both research into game theory and psychology are pretty limited here. You mention the research as neuroscience but I think the devil in the details extends past this, even into sociology. Modern Chinese culture often is very materialistic, loving brands like Chanel and iPhone, even in cities that a
Re: (Score:3)
Likewise while lobbying doesn't exist here, I think some of the big companies get preferential treatment, like Tencent. So there are a lot of reasons a ban hammer is unlikely.
Absolutely. This could just end up being like China's rigid environmental standards: applied only when it is a disadvantage to a foreign corporation.
China has this bit covered (Score:2)
This is also why it is important to own your own stuff. These rules could come in at any point in the west and the way to avoid it is to stick to multiplayer games where you control both the client and the server software.
Re: Not the best method. (Score:2)
I'd say the government. That's pretty much how it works everywhere, right? Parents are mostly incompetent... maybe if they take an exam and pass to judge they are actually competent.
Re: (Score:1)
but had it been around in the US in the 90s . . . (Score:2)
. . . then I probably would have forgotten about this account decades ago . . . :)
hawk
Obviously... (Score:1)
Ah the new opium wars (Score:2)
Re: Ah the new opium wars (Score:2)
Lost? That's very short term thinking.
Re: (Score:2)
short term thinking
True. They adopted socialism. So it's just a different needle in their arm.
No Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and CandyCrush (Score:3)
for them Chinese kids.
Doesn't sound too bad though....
Re:No Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and CandyCrush (Score:4, Insightful)
Re: No Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and CandyCrush (Score:2)
What makes you think the CPC controls tiktok?
Re: (Score:2)
How do we read the post if the body says (Score:2)
So, in other words: (Score:2)
Old news.
Right before the release? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Since there is a special Chinese WoW version (no skeletons, apparently there is some cultural dysfunction there in that regard), I highly doubt it. There may just need to be a time limit on it or something.
Good for China (Score:2)
Good for them... This is not an anecdote, my wife works for a boutique IP Law Firm.... A few years back we were at their Christmas Party, and one of the members S.O. turned out to be a minor player in a very small V.C. firm. He openly admitted and bragged that they hire Neuro Psychologists to make their C tier games more addictive, as well as admitting that they target children. Being a father, as well as a decent human being, I wanted to punch him in the face... Alas, I ended up sitting on my han
Re: (Score:2)
Indeed. Candy Crush is a prime example, bit others do this as well. There are also tons of games that play pretty well until you go higher in the skill levels and then start charging. That is why I stopped playing World of Tanks. Above level 7 or so, you need to pay or you cannot really play anymore.
Re: Good for China (Score:2)
Unless you're really, really good....or are prepared to die pretty fast each time...indeed a harsh environment even if you're spamming gold ammo, (which everyone else is too..)
In related news... (Score:2)
The Chinese government totally approved the promotion of sites that encourage populist indoctrination of children along party lines...
Perfect solution (Score:1)