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Print 16 comment(s) - last by Omega215D.. on Aug 25 at 11:53 PM

Chinese Internet rehab clinics now have the spotlight directly on them, with cases of abuse and at least one confirmed death

China has a unique problem: a growing number of so-called "internet addicts" who play video games and use the internet for such a long duration that health experts are worried.

China has created internet rehabilitation camps aimed at helping young people integrate back into society, but these camps have come under heavy criticism for alleged abuse and maltreatment of guests.  In the latest case, Pu Liang, 14, was reportedly beaten by his camp's principal  -- and other students -- and is now in serious condition, highlighting the latest case that has plagued China.

Liang's mother sent him to the camp for $730 with concerns her son was spending too much time online.  Chinese media reports indicate the camp has been shut down temporarily, and its principal is now under arrest.

Each camp routinely offers physical exercise and teaches children to enjoy other games and activities, providing an environment away from the internet.  The problem with these camps, experts are now finding, is that they are not operated by people qualified to care for children, which is leading to possibly dangerous environments for children.

Health experts indicate only doctors and hospitals are qualified to treat children, but most of these camp operators don't have any type of qualifications or medical knowledge.  Even so, the Chinese Ministry of Health don't plan on monitoring these camps in the future, opening the door to future serious injuries and deaths.

Previously, a 15-year-old camp participant was beaten to death, with a public outcry from parents who send their children to these camps.  

China has 300 million internet users -- and growing -- though the overall popularity of the internet has led to a growing number of cases of possible addiction, Chinese media reports claim.



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No medical Knowledge?
By MrX8503 on 8/24/2009 9:31:25 AM , Rating: 5
I'm no doctor, but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't require any medical knowledge to know that beating a kid to death isn't healthy.




RE: No medical Knowledge?
By marvdmartian on 8/24/2009 9:37:23 AM , Rating: 3
I wonder...if you're online (or gaming) such a long time as to cause your own death....do you then find yourself going toward the LED???


RE: No medical Knowledge?
By Omega215D on 8/24/2009 12:47:14 PM , Rating: 3
Maybe you see a Fatal Exception Error and that the body needs to shut down... and if you believe in reincarnation you can reboot into Safemode....


RE: No medical Knowledge?
By Sylar on 8/24/2009 10:36:03 AM , Rating: 5
You cannot deny however that beating a child to death has been 100% effective in preventing online addiction. Have you seen comparable success rates? I sure haven't.


RE: No medical Knowledge?
By HrilL on 8/24/2009 1:54:44 PM , Rating: 2
You also don't have to worry about health problems when you're dead either. Not exactly the best fix.


RE: No medical Knowledge?
By Chocobollz on 8/24/2009 2:04:25 PM , Rating: 1
That's not true. They will still play the online game in heaven (or hell if they're unlucky). It's very hard to stop an addiction ya know? ;-P


RE: No medical Knowledge?
By SublimeSimplicity on 8/24/2009 10:44:50 AM , Rating: 2
The people running these camps aren't medical smart, they're online gaming smart.

They don't know how to draw blood or identify strep throat. They know that you can shoot someone 3 or 4 times only for them to get up and attack you with a chainsaw. The overall damage of both acts will take your health down to the equivalent of a runny nose.


RE: No medical Knowledge?
By DEVGRU on 8/24/2009 10:55:48 AM , Rating: 5
In communist China, Internet beats you!


As if to confirm the nutcases of the world
By Beenthere on 8/24/09, Rating: 0
RE: As if to confirm the nutcases of the world
By MrX8503 on 8/24/2009 9:32:56 AM , Rating: 4
Because human life is less important than internet addiction.


RE: As if to confirm the nutcases of the world
By Omega215D on 8/24/2009 12:45:14 PM , Rating: 1
But if you're dead then you are no longer addicted. In essence this program works right?

Hello?

................


RE: As if to confirm the nutcases of the world
By Murloc on 8/24/2009 1:12:33 PM , Rating: 3
yes it does but the parents can use that solution without sending them to a camp.


By Omega215D on 8/25/2009 11:53:37 PM , Rating: 2
But camps make everything better. And those who rated me down thinking I was serious should be sent to these camps.


hehe
By Baltar on 8/24/2009 9:33:31 AM , Rating: 3
these internet addiction camps remind me of that one episode of south park - the death camp of tolerance..

we just need mr slave and lemmiwinks to complete the parody




.
By Joz on 8/24/2009 8:32:34 AM , Rating: 1
When I first read the title, I secretly hoped that this camp was litteraly, under fire from a small army of angry gamers with guns.




Definition
By InternetGeek on 8/24/2009 10:51:01 PM , Rating: 1
What's the mainstream definition of addiction?

"Parents worry their children are spending too much time online". How much is too much time? Not much of a rationale when the father spends 14 hours a day earning money on a pc trading stock (or whatever chinese equivalent).

My point is that this internet addition issue seems like a broader push against internet media.




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