The Regulations aims to clarify what cyber information is suitable for minors, protect their personal information, and curb internet addiction among minors.
Statistics indicate that as of June 2023, the number of internet users in China has reached 1.079 billion, of which more than 191 million are minors.
The Regulations refines existing rules from the Law on the Protection of Minors, the Law on the Protection of Personal Information, and the Law on Cybersecurity, taking into account the characteristics of minors. The highlights are as follows:
- The production, reproduction, publication, and distribution of online information that may harm the physical and mental health of minors is prohibited;
- The production, reproduction, publication, and distribution or possession of obscene and pornographic online information about minors is prohibited;
- Online service providers shall require minors or their guardians to provide true identity information of the minors before offering online services; otherwise, services should not be provided to minors;
- Personal information processors shall conduct an annual compliance audit on the handling of minors’ personal information, and report the audit information to the regulatory authorities in a timely manner; and
- Online products and service providers shall not offer products and services that are addictive to minors and shall reasonably limit the amount of single consumption and daily cumulative consumption of minors in the use of their services, depending on the age of the minors.
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