China limits gaming time for under-18s to one hour a day on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays

  • China’s top watchdog for gaming and other forms of online media has formally issued the rules to combat video games addiction among teenagers
  • The NPPA said video gaming companies are the main entities responsible for stopping children from becoming addicted to games

China’s top watchdog for gaming and other forms of online media, formally issued the rules to combat gaming addiction among teenagers. Photo: AFP

Beijing has issued a new rule limiting the gaming time for players aged under 18 to between 8pm and 9pm only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays, marking the country’s most stringent measure yet to tackle video gaming addiction among young people.

The National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA), China’s top watchdog for gaming and other forms of online media, formally issued the rules to combat gaming addiction among teenagers, according to a report by state media outlet Xinhua.

Print option is available for subscribers only.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.