Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, is introducing a "teenage mode" that will limit the amount of time children under the age of 14 spend on the video app to 40 minutes a day, according to BBC.
The rules will apply to all Douyin users under the age of 14 who have registered for the app using their real names, Beijing-based ByteDance said in a statement.
Douyin will also be unavailable to those users between 10 pm and 6 am.
“All real-name users under the age of 14 have entered the youth mode, and new registered users in the future will also enter directly,” the company said in a blog post.
The youth mode is in line with the Chinese government’s new restrictions on minors’ access to video games.
Douyin also said it would introduce new content including science experiments, art gallery exhibitions among other things to "inspire" teenagers.
China has been trying to limit the use of technology by teenagers. Last month, China banned those under 18 from playing video games during the week, and restricted to just one hour on Fridays, weekends and holidays.
Earlier, those under 18 in China were allowed to play for one and a half hours a day on most days.
What Is Gaming Addiction?
Many people associate addiction with drugs and alcohol, but gaming can be an addiction too, under certain circumstances.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 'gaming disorder' is defined "as a pattern of gaming behaviour characterised by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences."
What this means is that for gaming to be an "addiction," a person should be obsessed to the point that it interferes with other areas of life.
What Causes Gaming Addiction?
Peer pressure
The type of expectations shared among peers – ranking, earnings, etc.
Various intermittent rewards - These can be in terms of certain accessories, ranks.
Some children who don't do well in academics or find that novelty in real life scenario may get addicted
Some may have certain other psychological issues like attention deficit disorder where inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity are the core features.
If there are family issues, they may find solace in gaming.
Free time and boredom
Characteristics of Gaming Addiction
Preoccupation with playing games – where a person has a continuous desire to play.
Loss of control - Once they start playing, they lose their control.
Playing despite knowing the consequences – The child knows that he/she is jeopardising academics, social life, health, but still continue to play.
(With inputs from BBC.)
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