Core Viewpoint - Tencent and NetEase have implemented a gaming time restriction calendar for minors during the summer vacation, limiting gameplay to specific hours and total time to 27 hours over the holiday period [1][2]. Group 1: Tencent's Measures - Tencent's gaming time restriction for minors is set from July 1 to August 31, allowing gameplay only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 8 PM to 9 PM [1]. - New features introduced by Tencent include "temporary game switch" for parents to set time limits on gaming accounts and "parental self-service facial recognition" for more discreet control [2][3]. - The "temporary game switch" allows parents to flexibly manage gaming time, while the facial recognition feature helps prevent direct conflicts between parents and children [3][4]. Group 2: NetEase's Initiatives - NetEase has launched a "black and gray industry governance action" to extend minor protection strategies beyond in-game restrictions to comprehensive external governance [4]. - The initiative includes combating the sale of real-name accounts and facial verification services to minors, with over 61,000 accounts banned this year to prevent identity misuse [4]. - NetEase has also addressed external fraud by collaborating with third-party platforms, processing over 26,000 fraudulent content cases and banning 234 accounts related to violations in the first half of 2025 [4].

Core Insights - Tencent Games has launched the "2025 Summer Minor Protection Special Action," focusing on limiting gaming time and spending for minors, while introducing new features to enhance parental control and management of gaming accounts [2][3] Group 1: New Features and Tools - The new features include "Game Temporary Switch" and "Parental Self-Service Facial Recognition," aimed at providing parents with more flexible and detailed management of gaming accounts [3] - Tencent is enhancing its support for parents by offering a "Parent Counter" for one-on-one video guidance and launching "Parent Cloud Tutoring" live sessions to help parents customize gaming control plans [3] Group 2: Insights from Research - According to the "2024 Minor Gaming Addiction Prevention Status Research Report," 73.8% of parents are aware that their children have used adult accounts to bypass regulations, with 81.6% of these instances occurring with parental permission [2] - The report indicates that nearly half of the parents who allowed this behavior viewed it as a reward, highlighting a gap in effective monitoring tools for parents [2] Group 3: Role of Parents and Family - The role of parents is emphasized as crucial in the digital lives of minors, with the report suggesting that most instances of bypassing addiction prevention measures are linked to inadequate family supervision [3][4] - Experts stress that effective minor protection must start from the consensus that "the family is the first line of defense," underscoring the importance of parents mastering the tools provided by gaming companies [4]

Core Insights - The article highlights the systemic issue of minors' addiction to online games and the need for a collaborative approach involving parents, schools, and society to address this problem [4][7][20] Group 1: Policy and Regulation - In August 2021, the National Press and Publication Administration issued strict regulations limiting minors' access to online games, allowing only one hour of gaming on weekends and holidays [5] - A report from the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association indicates that the proportion of minors gaming for more than three hours a week decreased by 37.2% from 2021 to 2024 [6] - The 2024 report emphasizes that protecting minors is a long-term systemic project requiring collaboration from parents, schools, and society [7] Group 2: Parental Involvement and Education - The story of a mother, Li Fang, illustrates the challenges parents face in managing their children's gaming habits and the importance of family communication [8][9] - Experts suggest that the root cause of gaming addiction often lies in the lack of family education and communication, prompting initiatives to provide family education counseling [13][14] - The Tencent minor protection camp has developed a family education model to help parents address broader issues beyond just gaming addiction [14] Group 3: Technological Solutions - Major gaming companies like Tencent and NetEase have implemented technological measures to enhance the protection of minors, including real-name verification and time management systems [17][20] - Tencent's minor protection camp has a volunteer team of 310,000 individuals, including retired teachers and community workers, to provide support and resources to families [18] - The article notes that while companies can provide tools and platforms for protection, the primary responsibility lies with parents and children themselves [19] Group 4: Future Directions - The article concludes that the protection of minors from gaming addiction requires a multi-faceted approach involving government regulation, parental guidance, and educational support [20] - The narrative emphasizes the need for ongoing dialogue and understanding between parents and children regarding gaming and its impact on family dynamics [21]