China’s harsh gaming restrictions seem to be having a positive effect on children in the country, according to a new report that drew feedback from families, game companies and experts. As a result of the measures, children play less and less unauthorized payments from parents’ bank accounts.
The report found that 75.49 percent of children now play less than 3 hours a week; this rate was 67.76 percent in 2021. The report used this data to suggest that gaming addiction among children is “basically resolved”. In addition to playing for less time, the payouts associated with the game are also going down. The report said that 30 percent of children reduced their game payments last year, and unauthorized payments from parents’ bank accounts fell from 28.61 percent in 2021 to 15.43 percent in 2022.
Restrictions on the number of hours children can play video games in China affect 90 percent of children who play. While children were able to overcome obstacles using their parents’ information, these moves became less successful when the face verification system was implemented. The report reveals that children who are still addicted to games watch short videos and online videos when their play time is over.
China and other countries have been trying to combat gaming addiction for many years. In 2018, the World Health Organization classified gaming addiction as a mental health problem and recommended that those affected limit their playing time and instead play outside to help them socialize.