If we think of China in the tech field, in recent months TikTok especially comes to mind.
That is, the social network is very widespread, but also highly contested for its alleged double-edged link with the Beijing government. Alleged link that first prompted a series of countries and bodies to ban the app on company devices. And then it led the US state of Montana to an even more drastic decision: the ByteDance social network can no longer be used throughout the territory.
The link with Beijing, we said. By virtue of which the platform would retain and make the data of Western users available. More true than presumed link, since a former ByteDance executive claimed that TikTok is “a tool of the Chinese Communist Party”. And that the “culture of illegality” exists within the company.
China and Internet limitations
This time, however, it was the Beijing government itself that took the floor, and it did so because China will introduce important restrictions on the Internet.
For now it is only a draft, and it is not known when the proposal could become executive. Even if it is read from many quarters that it should come into force as early as 2 September.
The news was released on Wednesday 2 August by some American media, such as CNBC. Let’s see what it is.
The proposal of the Cyberspace Administration of China
The proposal was made on the same day of August 2 by the CAC, acronym for Cyberspace Administration of China.
It is the main regulatory body of the Internet in China, which in short intends to regulate the use of the Internet by young and very young people.
To do this, you should install a “youth mode” capable of controlling the use of the Internet according to the age of the children.
While it’s unclear how the device is supposed to work in practice, we have a little more information on how China plans to limit the internet for kids.
What will the Internet in China be like for young people
Internet access in China for young people will depend on their age.
In more detail, under 18s will be completely prohibited from using the Internet from 10.00 pm to 6.00 am of the following day.
After that, there will be a maximum daily usage time depending on age. That is, two hours a day for those aged 16 and 17, 90 minutes for those aged 12 to 15, and an hour for those aged 8-12. Finally, only 40 minutes every 24 hours for those under the age of 8.
How will it work
But how will China police these limitations imposed on the Internet? In short, how will the aforementioned “youth mode” work?
Everything should be made easier by the fact that the Beijing government has imposed with a certain severity that one must register on the various social networks with one’s authentic credentials. And it has activated strict controls, which the platforms themselves must comply with.
The CAC proposal also includes a tool that notifies young people every 30 minutes, and invites them to take their eyes away from the device screen for a few minutes.
Furthermore, to download apps, those under the age of 12 will have to ask their parents to do so, and children aged 12 to 16 will only be able to download those that have a mode for minors.
Finally, it seems that some platforms considered “suitable for the physical and mental development of minors” will be exempt from these prohibitions and limitations.
Virtuous norm or propaganda?
The limitation of the Internet in China will take place, according to the government, to “create a positive online environment”. And to preserve young people from dependence on the Net and misinformation.
Ma many suspect that behind this crackdown there is a desire to limit freedom of informationas well as that of strengthening the control and ideological conditioning of the younger ones.
The previous restrictions
Recall that in 2021 there had already been a similar squeeze, but limited to video games.
At first, minors were allowed to play online on weekdays for a maximum of 90 minutes, with an absolute ban on connecting from 10.00 pm to 8.00 am. After that, it was even down to 3 hours of play per week.
In addition, some apps, such as Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), have introduced regulatory tools for teenagers, who can use content for no more than 40 minutes a day.