CAC’s initiative to shut down online accounts and websites to safeguard online environment for children

In a campaign intended to prevent child abuse online that started in June, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) reported on 29 August that they had shut down more than 1,300 online accounts, 100 websites, and 324 applications containing dangerous material. Additionally, 4,700 accounts that posted faked photographs of school violence and disseminated false information to encourage kids to consume illegal substances were penalized.

The CAC announced the continuation of its campaign, urging online platforms to fulfill their responsibility in ‘cleaning up’ the online space for children. It claims that this move is a response to the growing concern about the potential harm children may experience online.

Why does it matter?

According to CAC, this campaign aims to promote a secure and healthy online environment for children while also controlling the content and usage of well-known online games and platforms among children. Despite the shutdown of online accounts for children’s safety purposes, CAC has recently released draft guidelines to limit children’s time online. Namely, the draft regulations proposed the implementation of ‘Minor Mode’ requiring children under the age of 18 to be limited to a maximum of two hours a day on the internet. At the same time, concerns may be raised, as CAC has already implemented regulations controlling children’s internet access, which may question the necessity and proportionality of such actions.