The Next Web » SINA http://thenextweb.com International technology news, business & culture Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:29:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Parents and game operators to control game-playing of minors in China http://thenextweb.com/asia/2011/02/01/parents-and-game-operators-to-control-game-playing-of-minors-in-china/ http://thenextweb.com/asia/2011/02/01/parents-and-game-operators-to-control-game-playing-of-minors-in-china/#comments Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:27:54 +0000 Francis Tan http://thenextweb.com/asia/?p=4891 Internet gaming has been a world spread addiction that many parents worry about. In China alone, statistics from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences suggest the number of minor Internet addicts in China has risen to 33 million. In an effort to address this problem, Online game operators in China will be required to provide services for parents to monitor their children’s game-playing.

A report from Sina says that a notice issued by eight central government departments ordered the implementation of the Parents’ Guardian Project for Minors Playing Online Games starting March 1. Game operators will be required to follow the parents’ request to restrict their children’s online game-playing, including setting a limit on playing time or even imposing a total ban. Additionally, the operators must also regularly monitor the game account and help parents to prohibit or restrict the inappropriate playing of online games. The document suggested a school student play online games for less than two hours every week and spend no more than 10 yuan ($1.5) on playing online games every month.

The project will require online game companies to set up a web page, enquiry hotline and other special channels for parental supervision of their children.

Do you think such means as government regulations are effective or would only spark rebellious actions and family disputes? Well, surely Jane McGonigal, who thinks that gaming can make a better world, would disagree.

]]> http://thenextweb.com/asia/2011/02/01/parents-and-game-operators-to-control-game-playing-of-minors-in-china/feed/ 1 Screen Shot 2011-07-14 at 09.31.16 Nokia collaborates with China’s Internet service providers to bring location services using Ovi Maps http://thenextweb.com/asia/2011/01/28/nokia-collaborates-with-chinas-internet-service-providers-to-bring-location-services-using-ovi-maps/ http://thenextweb.com/asia/2011/01/28/nokia-collaborates-with-chinas-internet-service-providers-to-bring-location-services-using-ovi-maps/#comments Fri, 28 Jan 2011 07:28:02 +0000 Francis Tan http://thenextweb.com/asia/?p=4862 Nokia, in an effort to establish its market position in China, joins forces with SINA and Tencent, two of China’s leading Internet service providers, to bring location based services through Ovi Maps in China

Both SINA and Tencent services will be seamlessly integrated with Nokia’s Ovi Maps in China, enabling millions of people to enjoy and share location services to friends and communities using Ovi Maps. Using SINA’s micro-blog and Tencent’s online community, the members will be able to share their location, check-in places, and upload content and recommendations using their Nokia mobile devices.

“More than 250 million people are using a Nokia device in China and with this partnership, we can help people share their location with their friends and communities through Ovi Maps on their favorite social network,” said Phil Kemp, Vice President, Services, Nokia.

SINA Corporation is a leading online media company and mobile value-added service provider for China and for the global Chinese communities while Tencent is one of China’s largest Internet services portal offering Internet, mobile and telecommunications value-added services and online advertising.

SINA and Tencent customers will be able to enjoy China’s first location based services through Ovi Maps during the first quarter of 2011.

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