Web-Addicted Teen Beaten to Death at Chinese Rehab
With reportedly more than 10-million Internet-addicted teens in China, many parents are taking their children to clinics across the vast country. And these clinics, which often use controversial methods instead of behavioral therapy, are producing some terrifying results.
According to the Times Online, 16-year-old Deng Senshan was beaten to death Saturday by trainers at the Guangxi Qihuang Survival Training Camp only 10 hours after he arrived. The camp, located in southern China, uses military tactics to break teens of their addictions to the Web. Although Senshan's father asked administrators to take it easy on his shy son, the Times reports that trainers 'scolded' and beat the boy because they were not pleased with the speed at which he performed a jogging exercise. Police say they've arrested four people in connection with Senshan's death.
Of course, the boy's parents are heartbroken, and our hearts go out to them. Still, it's hard for us to understand how someone could send their child to a military-style facility, which costs more than $1,000, for an Internet addiction. Maybe he was playing 'World of Warcraft' too much, but does that warrant a trip to boot camp? If they could have him back, it's safe to say the parents might consider other options. [From: The Times Online]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paul34 said 1:25PM on 8-06-2009
It's hard to understand because it's traditional Asian culture there. A kid who plays WoW all day in his parents basement and ends up being 27 and still being in the same situation is totally unacceptable for a traditional Asian parent. They're expected to focus on schoolwork, and then do some worthwhile degree in a college then go get a real job.
Anyway, I'm not going to comment on the camps because I don't know if they're all like this or not. All I know is that it is a different culture.
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Kate said 3:17PM on 8-06-2009
I agree that it's a different culture and that may have been one of the more severe rehab camps. I feel horrible for the boy and his family and hope that this is not a frequent practice. Had this been a more structured and nurturing facility, perhaps they would teach internet-addicted teens how to develop and maintain healthy reality-based relationships.
I also agree with a more traditional upbringing centered around home, family and the surrounding community. The internet, gaming and media influences tend to draw teens away from these traditional pillars of strength and can often create a false reality which can come crashing down on them.
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bioadam said 10:31AM on 8-07-2009
Maybe this is a crazy suggestion: stop paying for internet service.
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