China's cyberspace regulators announce measures for protection of minors

Authorities in China have released classification measures for online information that may affect the physical and mental health of minors, aiming to adapt to the changing internet landscape to better protect young users, according to an announcement by the country's Cyberspace Administration on Friday.

The measures, jointly released by the country's top authorities in cyberspace, publishing, film, education, industry and information, public security, culture and tourism, and radio and television, will come into effect on March 1.

Formulated in line with the Regulations on the Protection of Minors Online, the measures identify four categories of online information that could impact the physical and mental well-being of minors, outlining their specific characteristics.

While integrating prominent issues from recent years — such as the misuse of minors' images — into the regulatory framework, authorities have also established preventive guidelines to manage content risks associated with new technologies, applications and business forms, including algorithmic recommendations and generative artificial intelligence.

Internet platforms and content producers are required to take preventive and counteractive actions against information that may harm the physical and mental health of minors.

The Cyberspace Administration of China said that cyberspace authorities will continue to purify the online environment. It will urge website platforms to take on their primary responsibilities and strengthen their governance of various types of content that may influence the physical and mental health of young users, with the aim of creating a clear and healthy online space for them.