Chinese authorities have proposed limiting children's use of smartphones to a maximum of two hours a day.

The country's internet regulator announced draft guidelines asking mobile device manufacturers and app developers to introduce "minor mode" programs.

Daily use would be limited to 40 minutes for children under the age of eight, one hour for children younger than 16, and two hours for those under 18.

Children of all ages would be barred from using their devices from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and alerts urging them to take a break would be issued after 30 minutes of screen time.

Parents would be granted the right to control minor mode.

Regulators say the limits are designed to foster favorable online habits. They are seeking public opinion on the proposals over the coming month.

Children's addiction to online games and social media has become a social issue in China, along with declines in eyesight linked to excessive use of smartphones.