Video games and streaming: China changes its laws to ban addictive services

These new revisions are aimed to bolster the “protection of” minors on the Internet. Let’s take a closer look at how the new law will affect gaming and video game streaming in China here.

China has just revised its laws to make significant changes in how internet services and products operate in the country. According to the latest reports available online, the Chinese government voted for the adoption of the new rules. These new revisions are aimed to bolster the “protection of” minors on the Internet. The laws will force Internet service providers and companies to act when needed. It is worth noting that the tweaked laws will go into effect from June 1, 2020. Let’s take a closer look at how the new law will affect gaming and video game streaming in China here.

China tweaks the law; may affect video games and streaming

According to a report from Reuters, Chinese state news agency Xinhua was the first to share details around these changes. The agency noted that this new law is aimed to target online products and services which “induce addiction”. ISP and product makers need to take required actions when needed while adding “corresponding functions”. These functions include introducing limits on time and consumption. This move will ensure that the country will be able to take on the problem of internet and gaming addiction. For some context, the company has seen a growing menace of addiction in the last decade or so.

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Beyond the limits, the law also tackles the problem of cyberbullying. Looking at the report, parents or guardians will have the right to notify the ISP to take down, disconnect, or block links. It is also worth noting that this law extends to schools and kindergartens. This is because the law will force these institutions to report harassment or sexual assaults to the education authority and public security department. These changes will help parents and institutions take proactive measures to guard their children against targeted harassment and more.

As noted above, this change in the law will affect the gaming and streaming population in the community. These changes did not come out of the blue. In fact, it initially formed an ‘Online Game Ethics Committee’ to start exploring these measures. Game developers such as Tencent have already added these features. It will also likely have an effect on all the games developed in India. However, in the long run. these changes are in the right spirit.