Although "solving" gaming addiction seems as simple as "solving" alcoholism, China's state-affiliated organization in charge of video games is close to declaring recent initiatives to reduce children's gaming usage as a "success."
According to reports from the Financial Times and Reuters, China's state-aligned commission on video games produced a study on Tuesday claiming that the nation had "resolved" the problem of youth gaming addiction.
A study showed that boys who are regularly playing video games at the age of 11 years old are less possible to develop depressive symptoms three years after.
The new revelation comes only one week after an editorial entitled "Deeply exploring the value of the electronic games industry is an opportunity we can't miss" was purportedly published in People's Daily, a state-run newspaper in China.
According to reports, the article used gaming as another example of China's strategy in the international arena, claiming that since the European Union has given games "extremely high economic, technological, cultural, and even strategic value," China should do the same.
Gaming Addiction in China 'Resolved'
The government's suspension of new game approvals has impacted the gaming industry. It was a part of Chinese authorities' approach to the massive technological industry of the country, which is home to titans like Tencent, one of the largest video-game businesses in the world.
The National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA), which oversees the industry and is also in charge of licensing video games, put into effect the nation's strongest policy against underage gaming addiction in August of last year.
It limits the hours gamers under 18 can play on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays to between 8 and 9 p.m.
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BBC News said CNG, a data supplier who co-authored the survey, found that 75 percent of young gamers play for less than three hours weekly.
It claims that Chinese gaming businesses like Tencent have produced "remarkable results."
Lockdowns implemented by COVID-19 and the migration to online schooling raised concerns about screen time.
Following the gaming limits, China's Douyin, a competitor to TikTok, forbade users under 14 from spending more than 40 minutes daily on the platform.
However, as winter approaches and the number of Covid cases in the nation increases, kids spend more time at home. Some parents have given them access to their accounts to keep them occupied.
Gaming Addiction in China 'Resolved'
The report's upbeat conclusion gives reason for confidence that China's video game sector will recover from the dip it is now experiencing, which was brought on by the country's censorship of game content, stricter controls on game license approvals, and time limits for children's gaming.
South China Morning Post said the research noted one area of the nation's internet services business while concluding that video game addiction was now under control. According to the report, 65% of youngsters use short video services to pass the time.
However, starting in 2019, the short video platforms run by competitor Kuaishou Technology and Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok, have introduced a "youth mode" feature that calls for parental monitoring and identification verification. Additionally, parents may establish online tipping restrictions, and children are prohibited from surfing between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
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