Really? I can't name a democratic government that doesn't restrict/ban things they consider harmful to minors. If the CCP or Sweden or whomever else has come to the conclusion that the "excessive modern online gaming" is tantamount to gambling, it's a reflection on their values / evaluations (or even just the differing characteristics of popular games in their country), not the relative reach/control exhibited by their governmental system.
> It’s about more than just online games. It’s about control.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Politics and governance is about compromise and deciding where to draw lines, not slippery-slope absolutism about vague ideals and fervent dogmas that are all-too-easily impinged.
> I’m sure the great firewall is perfectly fine as well?
If you can't differentiate between "control of information and discourse across the entire population" and "control of how long (not even 'whether or not') minors can play online videogames" that's your problem.
Nowhere else in the non-authoritarian world has any regulation remotely like this. This is not the same as age limits on alcohol or cigarettes or gambling. They are limiting a leisure activity to a specific “CCP approved” window complete with a real-id and facial recognition tracking system.
This is a horrendous infringement on personal liberty. No human should ever have to endure government mandates over such trivial parts of their lives “for the greater good”. This tactic is used by the likes of the Taliban who banned painting, music, sports etc.
I mentioned the great firewall to illustrate what Chinas real goals here are: total and absolute control over their citizens. The CCP restricts access to free information, political dissent, and freedom of religion.
These are new laws being introduced which would make it illegal for a teenager to play ONLINE CHESS on a Wednesday. How is this not overreach? If the dark software patterns were really the issue they would just make the loot boxes and micro purchases illegal. It’s 100% about power.
> It’s about more than just online games. It’s about control.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Politics and governance is about compromise and deciding where to draw lines, not slippery-slope absolutism about vague ideals and fervent dogmas that are all-too-easily impinged.
> I’m sure the great firewall is perfectly fine as well?
If you can't differentiate between "control of information and discourse across the entire population" and "control of how long (not even 'whether or not') minors can play online videogames" that's your problem.