Policy Proposal to Curb Harmful Games

A healthy and efficient gaming industry should be one where high-quality content that supports the physical and mental wellbeing of young people dominates the market. However, in today’s digital landscape, countless game apps filled with materialism, violence, and other negative themes are flooding the market. This growing trend poses a serious threat to youth development. Addressing the “market failure” in the gaming sector starts with strong public policy and scientific regulation, where the government plays a leading role. Without proper oversight, even tools like Melbet App Download—if misused—can become part of the wider problem affecting youth screen habits.

One of the most effective approaches is to promote industry self-regulation, with gaming companies taking greater responsibility for the content they produce. Games should strive to inspire the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, especially among younger audiences. Additionally, implementing a Pigouvian tax on the gaming industry, similar to pollution taxes, can help offset the social costs caused by harmful game content. The revenue from such taxes could fund the development of educational or wellness-focused games. Melbet App Download, for example, if supported by ethical design, can contribute to a more responsible digital ecosystem.

Another critical measure involves direct regulation by government agencies. Authorities must clearly assign responsibility to game developers and publishers as the first line of defense in ensuring healthy gaming content. This includes rigorous pre-approval processes for new titles and a stronger review system to prevent problematic games from reaching the market. Policymakers should also consider establishing game rating systems and blacklists for non-compliant companies, ensuring that platforms like Melbet App Download are aligned with national standards for youth protection.

Since 2017, there have been tragic incidents linked to excessive gaming, revealing how serious the mental health risks can be for addicted teens. Today, China’s gaming penetration among youth is extremely high, with more than half of King of Glory’s over 200 million registered users falling between the ages of 11 and 20. In 2017 alone, the country’s total gaming user base reached 583 million, cementing China as the world’s largest gaming market.

Economists refer to such imbalances as market failure—where resource allocation through free market mechanisms fails to achieve social optimality. Causes often include monopolies, negative externalities, public goods, and information asymmetry. In mobile and online gaming, the core issues stem from negative externalities, such as addiction that can even lead to criminal behavior. Representative Huang Huachun, in a proposal titled “Suggestions on Strengthening Control of Harmful Games,” noted that many games blatantly incorporate materialism, violence, and even sexual content. For many young users, this unchecked exposure seriously harms their wellbeing.

China’s mobile gaming market alone generates over 116.1 billion yuan in annual revenue. Therefore, youth gaming addiction is not just a social concern—it is also an economic issue. As with smoking, many users are fully aware of the harms, but remain unable to stop. This addictive nature further underscores why corrective public policies are urgently needed. In shaping the digital future, platforms such as Melbet App Download must be guided by values that support—not undermine—youth development.