Gaming curfew for minors hits China

They can also only play for 90 minutes on weekdays.

Corinne Reichert Senior Editor

Corinne Reichert (she/her) grew up in Sydney, Australia and moved to California in 2019. She holds degrees in law and communications, and currently writes news, analysis and features for CNET across the topics of electric vehicles, broadband networks, mobile devices, big tech, artificial intelligence, home technology and entertainment. In her spare time, she watches soccer games and F1 races, and goes to Disneyland as often as possible.

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I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team.

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Corinne Reichert

Nov. 6, 2019 3:07 p.m. PT

Fortnite loading screen — No more Fortnite after 10 p.m. for minors in China.
Epic Games

The Chinese government has introduced a bunch of new rules for minors who use their free time for gaming, The New York Times reported Wednesday. Under the guidelines, kids under 18 won't be able to game between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., or play more than 90 minutes a day on weekdays and three hours on weekends or holidays.

In-game spending will also be capped at 400 yuan or $57 a month for those aged 16 to 18, and 200 yuan ($29) a month for eight- to 16-year-old gamers, according to CNN.

The regulations are a response to an increase in poor academic performance and nearsightedness, The New York Times said. A spokesperson for China's General Administration of Press and Publication told Xinhua that the rules are to protect mental and physical health of minors.