India Will Not Implement Limits on Video Game Time

The Indian government has no plans to limit the amount of time spent on online gaming.

This is according to a response from the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, during a recent session of the Indian Parliament’s lower house, the Lok Sabha.

Chandrashekhar responded to questions from MPs Vishnu Dutt Sharma and Bhagirath Chaudhary, who asked whether the government was considering limiting the time spent by gamers under 18 to three hours per week, like China. The government’s response indicates that it will not be implementing such regulations in the future.

Chandrashekhar also said that the government is are aware of the possible risks and challenges of online gaming, such as “violence abetting video games, addiction to it, and consequential financial loss.”

He added that the government has implemented rules requiring intermediaries to prevent users from sharing harmful information and to comply with existing laws. These rules aim to protect children and prevent the commission of crimes and gambling.

Last year, Chinese regulators imposed new rules on online games, which required companies like NetEase and Tencent to limit online gaming for three hours per week to gamers under 18.

Minors in China are only allowed to play online games for one hour between 8 pm and 9 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday every week, as well as on public holidays.

Game companies are even required to enforce a real-name verification system to identify minor gamers, along with restricting online gaming during prescribed hours.