The government has decided to scrap a regulation that bans children under age 16 from accessing online computer games from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., in place for nearly a decade.  

The ministries of culture and gender equality and family revealed the decision regarding the “forced shutdown system” during a meeting of related ministers on Wednesday. 

The regulation was introduced in November 2011 in line with the Youth Protection Act in a bid to cut down the time teenagers spend playing computer games and to increase their sleep. 

Observers say the government apparently decided to do away with the system as it has virtually lost effectiveness given that it seeks to regulate hours spent playing games on personal computers(PC). Observers noted that the gaming environment has seen a major shift with teenagers now mostly playing mobile games, which are more accessible than PC games. 

However, a system under which youth under 18 and their parents can regulate hours spent on computer games will remain in place.