Tencent puts a lock for teenagers on their games. No 16? So you can't enter the game without your parents
Another “prohibitive” news from China. The largest gaming company in the world, Tencent, now does not allow anyone under the age of 16 to log in to games without parental permission. Restrictions apply only to residents of the Celestial Empire.
Now Tencent is actively developing a user healthcare system. Within its framework, the “Castle for Children” program has been tested since March. The essence of the latter is the control and restriction of minors’ access to video games.
The program is now launching a pilot initiative, which is named “16+”. It will be extended to all new games of the company. Its essence is in two points:
- teenagers from 16 years old can log in and log in to games on their own;
- However, all minors up to the age of 18 are limited to two hours of play per day.
Previously, the system was less rigid. Only children under the age of 13 could not log in to the game on their own. To do this, it was necessary that the parents, using their ID, allowed them to play. Now the measure also applies to those who are older.
As for the time limit, these plans have been known for a long time. Back in November last year The Wall Street Journal reported that Tencent will introduce a restriction on the time of gaming sessions for Chinese minors.
Players under the age of 13 are limited to one hour per day. Players under the age of 18, as we have already mentioned, are limited to two hours a day. At the same time, in the evening and at night, access to the games will be blocked altogether.
Tencent began restricting access to minors in China in 2017. At first, it concerned only the blockbuster Honor of Kings. The reason is the active criticism of the game by the state media. It’s funny, but Tencent itself has always assured that such measures will not affect its revenue.
Another leading Chinese company, NetEase, also announced plans to introduce similar restrictions in China in January. Only she’s a little softer. On weekends, children will be given two hours to play, and teenagers will be given three hours a day.
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