We have all seen the movie, The Social Dilemma. It shows how social media can be addictive. And better yet, it shows that the oligarchs that run social media know this to be the case, and have notably tried to exacerbate the problem.
Thus, more than a few American parents are horrified at the extent to which their children are addicted to their little devices. And they are also appalled by the fact that too much time on the gadgets produces feelings of despair and loneliness.
But, they do not know what they can do about it.
In truth, the situation in Asian countries is not quite as dire as it is here, but in one country, China, the government is cracking down on social media addiction. The president of China considers video games to be akin to opium, and we know the Chinese sensitivity to opium importation.
So, the Wall Street Journal reports:
China has a new rule for the country’s hundreds of millions of young gamers: No online videogames during the school week, and one hour a day on Fridays, weekends and public holidays.
China on Monday issued strict new measures aimed at curbing what authorities describe as youth videogame addiction, which they blame for a host of societal ills, including distracting young people from school and family responsibilities.
The new regulation, unveiled by the National Press and Publication Administration, will ban minors, defined as those under 18 years of age, from playing online videogames entirely between Monday and Thursday. On the other three days of the week, and on public holidays, they will be only permitted to play between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The government announcement said all online videogames will be required to connect to an “anti-addiction” system operated by the National Press and Publication Administration. The regulation, which takes effect on Wednesday, will require all users to register using their real names and government-issued identification documents.
How many American parents would wish to do the same. One appreciates that this policy strikes a blow at a pernicious modern form of addiction, but that it also restricts children's freedom to be addicted to video games. So, what do you all think of this authoritarian oppression?
To Disappear in Dreams:
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Of course that is the collectivist way China would do it. In America, parents are supposed to handle it. Wouldn't hurt if influential people would tell parents that they are supposed to handle it, but that's too much to hope for. It is telling that the tech wizards severely limit the time their children spend on screens.
ReplyDeleteDifferent countries, different problems. Wasn't there an experiment to give "inner city youth" free Xboxes so they would go inside and no longer terrorize the neighborhood?
ReplyDeleteChina has gone ‘Bananas.’
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