A father from Henan province, China, has taken a bold step in the fight against gaming addiction by filing a lawsuit against four major gaming companies. The case, which has sparked national debate, highlights the urgent need for stronger protections for minors in the digital age.
The lawsuit comes after a harrowing incident in which the father’s 18-year-old son was hospitalized for drug poisoning. The teenager, who had been struggling with excessive gaming, consumed 18 fever tablets without having a fever. Doctors diagnosed him with drug poisoning, and timely medical intervention saved his life.
The role of gaming in the incident
Following the incident, the father began investigating his son’s digital habits and discovered a pattern of excessive gaming. According to gaming records, the teenager had accumulated 1,868 hours of gameplay since March 2026, averaging more than two hours a day, with significantly longer sessions during holidays and weekends.
The father alleged that his son’s health had deteriorated as a result of his gaming habits. He claimed that the teenager had lost around 10 kilograms over several months and often stayed awake until the early hours of the morning during weekends.
Bypassing restrictions
The lawsuit further alleges that the teenager registered gaming accounts using his elder sister’s identity card, allowing him to bypass China’s strict online gaming rules for players under 18. These rules limit access to one hour between 8 pm and 9 pm on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays.
The father argued that despite gaming companies having technologies such as facial recognition, stronger identity verification measures should have prevented the misuse of another person’s identification. He has asked the court to direct gaming companies to strengthen their anti-addiction systems and prevent minors from accessing games using someone else’s identity.
The legal battle
The first court hearing was scheduled for July 6, but has been postponed after the companies challenged the court’s jurisdiction. According to reports, the firms argued that because their headquarters are located in different cities, the court must first determine which jurisdiction is authorized to hear the case before proceedings can continue.
The case has sparked widespread debate on Chinese social media, with many users calling for stronger safeguards against gaming addiction. Others argued that parental supervision also plays a crucial role in managing children’s screen time.
The father has made it clear that his lawsuit is not about seeking substantial financial compensation. Instead, he is asking for a symbolic payment of 10 yuan, stating that the case is aimed at strengthening protections for minors using online gaming platforms.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of gaming addiction and the urgent need for stronger protections for minors in the digital world.
