The Chinese Government has outlined plans to severely restrict the amount of time children under 18 will be allowed to play games online.

Online gaming operators have until July 16 to implement software that will stop youngsters playing games online for more than three hours in the normal way.

After three hours, the software will play for a further two but the amount of points the player earns will be halved, thereby reducing the incentive to continue.

And after five hours, scores will be zeroed with no more points to earn.

Games will also display a warning every 15 minutes explaing that they are entering 'unhealthy game time' and advising players to rest.

Companies will have their games shut down unless they fail to comply with the new rules by the July 16 deadline.