fastcompany

Lawmakers in Taiwan believe that “gadget addiction” is such a serious issue with children and teenagers that they have decided to take action by passing new rules which state that children under 18 “may not constantly use electronic products for a period of time that is not reasonable.”

Although one would think that lawmakers would define what exactly constitutes “reasonable” use, no such definition exists according to the new rules. Taiwan already has existing legislation that makes it illegal for children to watch anything deemed “harmful” to them such as sex, violence or depravity.

As Quartz points out, lawmakers in Taiwan are now putting the use of electronic devices on the same level as “smoking, drinking, drugs, watching sexual or violent imagery, and chewing betel nuts.” If a child in Taiwan becomes “physically or mentally” ill from such electronic use, the parents will now be liable for a $1,600 fine.

technet

This new rule was proposed by the Chinese Nationalist Party who said the new regulation is aimed at protecting the young from “indulging in electronic entertainment for long periods of time.”

Taiwan is not alone in these types of actions. China, South Korea and other countries have been trying to regulate online gaming for years.