China's top internet regulator released a draft regulation that aims to establish a robust legal framework for the healthy development of minors as part of broader efforts to strengthen the protection of children online.国家互联网主管部门公布一份监管征求意见稿，旨在搭建完善的法律体系，保障未成年人健康成长，进一步强化未成年人网络保护工作。 The 25-article draft, developed by the Cyberspace Administration of China, was published in full on Friday, along with contact information for public feedback, with the comment period set to remain open until Oct 17.这份共 25 条的征求意见稿由国家互联网信息办公室起草，于周五全文公开，并同步公布公众意见反馈渠道，征求意见截止至 10 月 17 日。 Experts have praised the draft for its comprehensive provisions addressing public concerns over children's internet use, including livestreaming, online addiction and the use of artificial intelligence agents. It also clarifies the responsibilities of internet companies and government agencies, urging them to adopt differentiated approaches when providing online services for minors.专家对这份征求意见稿给予肯定。文件条款全面，回应了公众对未成年人上网问题的关切，涵盖直播、网络沉迷、AI 智能代理应用等领域。意见稿同时厘清互联网企业与监管部门的责任，要求面向未成年人提供网络服务时实施分级分类管理。 Zheng Ning, head of the law department at Communication University of China's School of Cultural Industries Management, said the draft not only supplements existing laws on the online protection of minors, but also addresses a range of new challenges arising from the integration of emerging technologies, such as AI and big data, into young people's lives.中国传媒大学文化产业管理学院法律系主任郑宁表示，这份征求意见稿既是对现有未成年人网络保护相关法律的补充，也应对人工智能、大数据等新兴技术融入青少年生活带来的一系列新型风险挑战。 Zheng said the draft is highly practical as it emphasizes differentiated online services for minors, strengthens preventive measures and makes systematic arrangements in key areas such as minor user identification, content review, algorithm management and the development of a 'minor mode'.郑宁称，这份文件实操性很强，强调面向未成年人提供差异化网络服务，强化风险预防，并在未成年人身份核验、内容审核、算法管理、青少年模式建设等关键领域作出系统性安排。 For example, the draft prohibits the provision of services for launching livestreaming rooms to individuals under 16.举例来说，意见稿规定，不得向 16 周岁以下未成年人提供直播开播服务。 "This means people in this age group are not allowed to be streamers, start their own broadcasts or transmit audio or video content to the public in real time," Zheng said.郑宁表示：“这意味着该年龄段人群不能担任主播、自行开启直播，或是向公众实时传输音视频内容。” She cited the Civil Code, noting that minors aged 16 to 18 can be considered to have full civil capacity if their primary source of income is their own labor or if they are able to be responsible for their actions.她援引《民法典》说明，16 至 18 周岁未成年人，如果以自身劳动收入作为主要生活来源，能够独立承担自身行为责任，可视为完全民事行为能力人。 "However, those under 16 are generally not mature enough and lack sufficient life experience, making them susceptible to cyberbullying and irrational spending, so they are not permitted to be livestream hosts," she said.她说“但 16 周岁以下人群心智尚未完全成熟，生活阅历不足，容易遭受网络欺凌、非理性消费，因此不允许担任直播主播。”Minors under 16 can watch livestreams, she said, but streaming platforms must provide and ensure the use of a minor mode for them.她提到，16 周岁以下未成年人可以观看直播，但平台必须提供并保障青少年模式启用。 Liu Ying, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies, also expressed support for the draft's approach of providing differentiated protection and online services based on minors' level of physical and mental development.中国网络空间研究院副院长刘颖也对这份意见稿的思路表示认可：依据未成年人身心发展水平，实施差异化保护与网络服务供给。 "The cognitive abilities, discernment levels and self-protection awareness of minors gradually develop with age, and the online risks faced by different age groups vary," said Liu, adding that using the age thresholds for civil capacity outlined in the Civil Code as a reference is practical and aligns with the legal framework.刘颖表示：“未成年人的认知能力、辨别力与自我保护意识随年龄逐步成长，不同年龄段面临的网络风险各不相同。” 她补充，参考《民法典》里民事行为能力年龄划分标准，具备现实可行性，也契合现有法律体系。 Zheng and Liu both praised the draft for explicitly prohibiting the provision of services such as virtual companions and virtual relatives to minors.郑宁、刘颖两位专家均肯定了意见稿中的明确规定：禁止向未成年人提供虚拟陪伴、虚拟亲属类服务。 "Virtual intimacy can easily lead children to form emotional attachments, blur the boundaries between virtual and real-life interpersonal relationships, interfere with their real-life social interactions and value recognition and potentially induce internet addiction and irrational spending," Zheng said.郑宁解释：“虚拟亲密关系容易让孩子产生情感依赖，模糊虚拟与现实人际边界，干扰现实社交与价值观塑造，还可能诱发网络沉迷、非理性消费。” She added that the prohibition is consistent with another regulation, which took effect on July 15, that bans AI platforms from generating content that could lead users to make questionable decisions by emotional manipulation or that could trigger extreme emotions or unhealthy habits among minors.她补充，这项禁令与 7 月 15 日施行的另一项规定保持一致：禁止 AI 平台生成通过情感操控诱导用户作出不当决策、引发未成年人极端情绪或不良行为习惯的内容。 Wang Zhiqin, vice-president of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, said the draft also aligns with global trends and offers a solution to the worldwide governance challenge of protecting minors online.中国信息通信研究院副院长王志勤表示，这份征求意见稿契合全球治理趋势，为全世界共同面对的未成年人网络保护难题提供治理思路。 In recent years, evidence has grown on the effects of social media on minors' mental health, behavior and safety, with more countries and regions exploring higher legal thresholds for minors who use social platforms. Some countries have introduced legislation imposing age restrictions in this area, Wang said.王志勤谈到，近年来越来越多研究证实社交媒体会影响未成年人心理健康、行为与安全。越来越多国家和地区正在探索提高未成年人使用社交平台的法律门槛，部分国家已经出台相关立法设置年龄限制。 Wang said the latest draft is based on changes in the online environment and emerging risks, and establishes a collaborative governance framework involving cyberspace, education, public security and internet platforms, tailored to different age groups of children.王志勤表示，这份最新征求意见稿立足网络环境变化与新型风险，搭建网信、教育、公安、互联网平台多方协同治理框架，针对不同年龄段未成年人制定差异化保护方案。 minor /ˈmaɪnə(r)/n. 未成年人regulation /ˌreɡjuˈleɪʃn/n. 法规，规章livestream /ˈlaɪvstriːm/n./v. 直播framework /ˈfreɪmwɜːk/n. 框架
