Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Smartphone Addiction in China
The issue of smartphone addiction among Chinese youth has become increasingly prevalent, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the Chinese government has already implemented restrictions on gaming, limiting minors to three hours of game time per week. However, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has proposed additional measures, known as “minor mode,” to further address children’s access to smartphones. These measures include limiting screen time based on age range and controlling the type of information each age group can view.
Proposed Measures
Last Wednesday, the CAC proposed specific limitations on screen time for different age groups. According to the proposal, 16-18-year-olds would be limited to two hours of smartphone usage per day, while children aged 8-15 would have a maximum of one hour per day. Children under the age of eight would be restricted to only 40 minutes of smartphone usage daily. Additionally, a technology curfew would be imposed, prohibiting children from using devices between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Content Restrictions
The primary objective of these proposed measures is to restrict the content children can access on their smartphones. For instance, children under the age of three would only have access to songs and audio content, while those over twelve would have access to educational materials and news. Social media apps like Douyin and Weibo have already implemented restrictions by limiting daily usage to 40 minutes and banning children under the age of 14. Once the allocated time is reached, these apps will automatically shut down. However, some users have found ways to bypass parental controls by using internet cafes or creating additional accounts.
Impact on Child Development
Excessive smartphone and internet usage can have significant negative effects on a child’s development. Numerous studies have shown the adverse consequences of excessive screen time, including decreased productivity, depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, and insomnia.
A study conducted by McGill University in Canada in 2022 revealed that among twenty-four countries surveyed, China ranked highest in terms of smartphone addiction. Children with parents who work out of town were found to be at the highest risk of developing device addiction.
Implementation of Safeguards
If the proposed measures are passed, smartphone developers will need to implement safeguards to comply with the regulations. While parental controls already exist on smartphones, these regulations would require additional protections, such as content filtering tailored to each age group’s suitability.
Market Impact
The tech markets in China have already experienced a decline in shares due to concerns over smartphone addiction. Companies like Alibaba, Bibili, and Tencent have seen significant drops in their stock prices. However, it is important to note that the proposal has yet to pass, and the CAC is currently accepting comments on the matter until September 2.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they address the negative impact of smartphone addiction on the health and well-being of Chinese youth, the need for quality education and restrictions on access to harmful content, the aim to reduce inequalities in terms of access to technology, and the role of institutions in implementing regulations to protect children.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
- Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
These targets are relevant to the issues discussed in the article as they focus on promoting mental health and well-being, ensuring quality education, reducing inequalities, providing safe spaces for children, and protecting them from abuse and exploitation.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease.
- Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets by assessing mortality rates from non-communicable diseases, the integration of global citizenship education and sustainable development in education systems, income inequality, availability of public spaces, and the prevalence of human trafficking.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. | Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities. | Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: cordcuttersnews.com
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