[photopress:china_internet_cafe_web.jpg,full,alignright]There are 31.12 million online game players in China. Give that figure some thought before we move on. Most of them use pseudonyms when they play. Now, from July 16, they must give their real names.
Online game operators, such as NetEase.com, Shanda, The9 and Tencent, are required to launch the anti-addiction system and a ‘real name checking’ system. This is very official policy with eight Chinese government bureaus involved, including the General Administration of Press and Publication, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Security.
Online game players must register their real names, identity card number and residence permit information to log on to a game.
When the system is fully installed, teenager players will get only half their game experience points after three hours’ consecutive playing. But, and this is a cruel and unusual punishment, they will lose points and virtual weapons after five hours.
Kou Xiaowei, a General Administration of Press and Publication senior official, said, ‘Students’ self-control is limited, therefore the new policy will prevent them developing online addiction.’
Game addiction among students has become a social problem. A Shanghai Youth Federation survey recently found that at least 14% of the city’s teenage players are addicted to the Internet. The new policy echoes Premier Wen Jiabao’s recent speech pledging to improve Internet regulation.
Source: Shanghai Daily