Currently, the internet has become an important space for minors to learn, live, and entertain, and the rate of minors accessing the internet continues to rise. The information they come into contact with in cyberspace can easily have an impact on their physical and mental health as well as the shaping of their values. Protecting minors from illegal and harmful information is a key link in the governance of the online ecosystem. Recently, eight departments, including the National Internet Information Office, issued the Measures for the Classification of Internet Information that May Affect the Physical and Mental Health of Minors (hereinafter referred to as the Measures), which will come into force on March 1, 2026, drawing a "red line" for minors' cyberspace and building a solid network security barrier. Clear guidance provides a basis for regulation. In addition to illegal information explicitly prohibited by law, there are also some "gray areas" of information in cyberspace that are vaguely defined but may have potential negative impacts on minors. Yuan Ningning, Deputy Director and Professor of the Governance and Legal Research Base for Minors at China University of Political Science and Law, pointed out that "previously, there was a lack of clear classification standards for this type of information, which made management difficult." "The Measures have systematically defined and scientifically classified this type of information, providing clear guidance for platforms and content producers, and making supervision based on evidence. ”Yuan Ningning stated that this marks a crucial step towards the refinement of China's legal system for online protection of minors. The Measures classify relevant network information systems into four categories: firstly, information that may trigger or induce minors to imitate bad behavior, such as content with sexual implications, sexual teasing, and other content that can easily evoke sexual associations; The second is information that may have a negative impact on the values of minors, such as promoting harmful values such as extravagance, showing off wealth, and worshiping money; The third is the improper use of information about the image of minors, such as using the image of minors to staged and interpret inappropriate plots; The fourth is improper disclosure and use of personal information of minors. It is worth noting that the "Measures" list specific situations such as ignoring life, flaunting wealth and money, and distorted aesthetics in terms of negative impact on values. They also respond to the controversy about "internet celebrity children" and fill the gap in rules. On the basis of clear classification, the "Measures" and the "Regulations on the Governance of Network Information Content Ecology" work together to establish "prevention and resistance" and "significant reminders" as core governance measures. This is not a simple deletion, but reflects a refined and guiding governance approach. While safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of adults, it provides risk warnings for minors and their guardians. "Yuan Ningning believes that this helps cultivate minors' ability to identify information and critical thinking, achieving a governance evolution from" single containment "to" combination of relief and containment ". Further strengthen the main responsibility of the platform. The Measures require that protective measures focus on key aspects of content distribution to further strengthen the main responsibility of website platforms. The Measures stipulate that information that may affect the physical and mental health of minors shall not be presented in prominent positions and key links such as the first screen, pop ups, hot searches, rankings, and recommendations on the homepage. Yuan Ningning gave an example that this regulation directly targets the current algorithmic recommendation model, aiming to reduce the passive exposure risk of minors from the source. At the same time, the Measures require platforms that provide algorithm recommendations, generative artificial intelligence and other services, establish and improve security management systems and technical measures, and prevent the risk of technology abuse. In addition, products or services specifically targeting minors are strictly prohibited from presenting algorithmic content information to ensure the purity of the exclusive space. Yuan Ningning believes that "these clauses concretize the platform's responsibility from principle requirements to full chain operational norms, promoting the transformation of platform enterprises from passive handling to active prevention and control." Yuan Ningning suggests that the platform should use the "Measures" as a benchmark, refine audit standards, strengthen technical investment and optimize identification algorithms, complete product function transformation, and ensure effective display of significant prompts. At the same time, we should actively build an exclusive content ecosystem suitable for the healthy development of minors of all ages, and achieve an upgrade from "passive interception" to "active supply". Regulatory authorities may handle violations of the Measures in accordance with the law, and refine law enforcement standards through the publication of typical cases and other means, especially providing clear guidance on the effectiveness of recognition prompts and the adequacy of control in the audit process, in order to strengthen platform responsibilities. ”Yuan Ningning said. In the face of rapid technological iteration, the 'Measures' demonstrate forward-looking and flexible characteristics by reserving update space for new risks. Liu Xiaochun, director of the Internet Rule of Law Research Center of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stressed that the classification criteria of the Measures are based on years of practical experience in governance, while also reserving space for dynamic updating of new risks. According to the relevant person in charge of the State Internet Information Office, the Measures focus on new situations and problems in the development of the network, include prominent problems in recent years, such as improper use of minors' images, into the scope of governance, and put forward prevention requirements for the risks that may be brought by new technologies and new applications, such as algorithm recommendation and generative artificial intelligence. Liu Xiaochun analyzed that the repeated use of phrases such as "including but not limited to" and "other possible impacts" in various clauses has left an "interface" to address new network risks; With the development of technologies and scenarios such as artificial intelligence generated content and intelligent agent tools, new forms of information that may affect the physical and mental health of minors may emerge in the future. The Measures can add new classifications and refine standards based on practice, and always maintain a forward-looking response to network risks. (New Society)