Chinese plans to limit smartphone use for children hit tech shares

Proposals would cut usage for 16- to 18-year-olds to a maximum of two hours, with under-16s limited to one hour

Shares in Chinese technology firms have fallen after the country's online regulator announced plans recommending smartphone use for children be limited to a maximum of two hours a day.

The rules proposed by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) will require device makers, operating systems, apps and app stores to introduce a so-called minor-mode" capping time spent on screens, increasing the pressure on local tech companies already grappling with tight government controls.