Editor's note: China is mulling over a midnight gaming ban to combat internet addiction among teenagers. If the ban is passed, those below the age of 18 will not be able to play online games between 12 am and 8 am. Will the ban be effective in helping deter young people from a gaming addiction? Forum readers share their opinions.

seneca (expat in China)

Don't always absolve parents of their responsibilities! They are not "too busy" to look after their kids; their kids are AT SCHOOL while the parents work. Do parents give their children a good model of how to spend their spare time? I think not. What is the Internet for the young was and sometimes still is the TV for the older and young generations. Almost every family turns on their TV during meal times. That is viewed as impolite in many countries. It is a way of avoiding face-to-face interaction and dialogue. People merely gesture to each other. And who buys the computer and the iphone for the young? The same parents. Apparently they do not care for their children very much.

A child is playing online game during the 9th China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference, also known as ChinaJoy 2011, in Shanghai New International Expo Center, China, July 28, 2011.[Photo/IC]