The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has launched a two-month campaign aimed at protecting minor users during the summer holidays. The initiative is focused on combating negative content and dangerous practices in the Chinese Internet segment that pose a threat to children and adolescents.
In 2021, China made attempts to regulate the Internet space by deleting applications that violated data regulations, restricting content not approved by authorities, limiting aggressive online fan clubs, and setting limits on video game playing time. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain in terms of prompting Chinese Internet operators to make necessary corrections.
The project will target a variety of online platforms including short videos, streaming platforms, social networks, online stores, and app stores. Key areas of focus for the initiative include counteracting the spread of violent and cruel content on video platforms, combating cyberbullying, removing inappropriate content from online stores, blocking deceptive applications, regulating children’s smart devices to exclude inappropriate content, and shutting down online services offering offensive acts for money.
The campaign is not limited to the summer holidays due to the increased internet usage by children during this period. It is unclear whether this campaign will become a permanent measure or remain a temporary operation.
CAC acknowledged that previous efforts to restore order in the online space for the country’s benefit may not have been sufficient. The focus on protecting children signals the ongoing importance of internet regulation. As noted in the original text, “the work of the Internet regulator never ends.”