While some young people in China admit to spending excessive time online, many remain skeptical about new government proposals aimed at further regulating internet use among minors.
During China’s recently concluded annual political meetings in Beijing, retired basketball star Yao Ming advocated for restrictions, suggesting that children should turn off all electronic devices for at least one full day per academic semester to encourage outdoor activities.
Government officials have voiced concerns over the impact of excessive screen time on the physical health and academic performance of minors. They have also proposed tighter controls on online gaming and harmful internet content.
China already has some of the world’s strictest internet regulations, with foreign websites and social media platforms blocked. However, the country also has a massive online population.
While some social media users supported the proposed measures, others pointed out contradictions in policy. Some argued that students already spend long hours in school and rely on the internet for homework.
“Schools should assign less homework that requires phone check-ins and online research,” a user from Hebei Province posted.
A Beijing resident questioned the necessity of further restrictions, stating, “Minors get home around 9 or 10 p.m., so when do they even have time to use social media?”
A college student in Beijing, speaking anonymously to VOA, acknowledged the problem of excessive internet use but expressed doubts about Yao’s proposal.
“Chinese teenagers and young people are absolutely addicted to the internet. You see people walking while looking at their phones everywhere,” she said.
“I don’t think limiting internet access for one day would help. Addiction is not easy to fix, and a ‘limit day’ won’t stop excessive internet use.”
According to the 2024 China Game Industry Minor Protection Report, as of December 2023, China had 196 million internet users under 18, with ninety-seven point three percent having access to the internet.
Authorities have implemented various restrictions in recent years. During the 2024 Chinese New Year, Tencent Games imposed a “limited play order,” allowing minors to play for only fifteen hours over a 32-day holiday period.
However, many youth bypass restrictions by using adult accounts.
A Qiang, a former media professional in China, dismissed the latest proposals as political rhetoric unlikely to lead to concrete policy changes.
“The real issue isn’t too much online freedom—it’s too little freedom offline,” he argued, citing intense academic pressure as a more pressing concern.
Will Wang, a Chinese student studying in the United States, noted that internet use is deeply embedded in the daily lives of Chinese teenagers.
“Many teens spend significant time on TikTok, RedNote, Bilibili, and other platforms,” Wang said, adding that the internet serves as an escape from their demanding schedules.
“Most Chinese teenagers don’t have private spaces at home or school. The internet is their only option for personal time.”
Hong Kong-based media commentator Xu Quan echoed similar sentiments, arguing that restricting internet access could be detrimental.
“Contrary to what some believe, the internet actually helps kids manage stress. Taking it away could harm their mental and emotional well-being,” Xu said.
The new proposals build on previous regulations. In 2020, China amended the Law on the Protection of Minors, introducing an “internet protection” chapter requiring social media, gaming, and live-streaming platforms to implement tools limiting excessive use.
In 2021, authorities introduced strict gaming time limits for minors, banning gameplay between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. and restricting gaming to one hour on weekdays and two hours on weekends.
Despite such efforts, critics argue that addressing academic and societal pressures might be a more effective solution than enforcing additional internet restrictions.
