Tencent uses facial recognition to curb young late-night gamers

In 2019, a cyber curfew was imposed in China banning those under 18 from playing games between 10pm and 8am. PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

SHENZHEN (NYTIMES) - For almost every video game restriction, children and teenagers will find a way around it.

But the room to manoeuvre is shrinking in China, where underage players are required to log on using their real names and identification numbers as part of countrywide regulations aimed at limiting screen time and keeping Internet addiction in check. In 2019, the country imposed a cyber curfew banning those under 18 from playing games between 10pm and 8am.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.