In China, online games have been called “spiritual opium”

Shares of Tencent Holdings and NetEase fell after Chinese state media called online games

“spiritual opium” and called for further restrictions on the industry.

In an article published in the stateThe Economic Information Daily says that many teens are addicted to online games, and this negatively affects their development. This news outlet is affiliated with the official news agency Xinhua.

It repeatedly mentions the flagship gameTencent's "Honor of Kings" is said to be the most popular online game among students, who sometimes play it for up to eight hours a day.

“Not a single industry or sportcannot be allowed to develop in such a way as to destroy an entire generation”, – the article says. It compares online games to “electronic drugs”.

China has promised to tighten rulesonline education and games to protect the welfare of children. Last month, the government drafted sweeping rules banning commercial teaching of subjects outside of school hours, threatening to wipe out the e-learning sector, which is worth $120 billion in China.

Source: nikkei

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