> A Chinese government push to limit app addiction — especiall | on product

> A Chinese government push to limit app addiction — especially among kids — has sparked some major modifications from the country’s leading players. (...) This summer, China made headlines by banning video games for kids outside of three hours on the weekend. (...) So, we’re about to witness an unprecedented, natural experiment about whether unfettered social media access helps or hurts kids.

> Kids using Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, will only be able to use it for 40 minutes per day. (...) If kids under 14 try to use Douyin between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., the app simply won’t work. (...) Last month, Douyin said it would add five-second pauses between some videos. In these pauses, the app will show messages like "put down the phone," "go to bed," or "work tomorrow."

> Douyin will show more educational content to kids. The company said it would increase the number of informational videos appearing in the feed, including science experiments, museum exhibitions, scenery, and history. This could be used for propaganda. It might also inspire kids using Douyin to develop passions in science and the arts.

https://bigtechnology.substack.com/p/five-ways-china-is-trying-to-unaddict