When it comes to Chinese internet-addiction camps, you take a one step forward and two back. Recently a controversial re-education service decided to stop electrocuting teenagers who break camp rules, which is a plus, but reports have come out of China that a 16 year-old prisoner at another camp in Nanning, China was beaten to death by three supervisors, apparently because he didn't run fast enough, which is a huge minus. The alleged murderers were arrested, and victim Deng Senshan's family plan to protest the untimely, pointless death of their child. Senshan was probably a gamer: Most teenage "internet addicts" in China are.
“The teachers promised me that they would not use any physical punishment on my son when I dropped him off,” Deng Fei said.
Chinese internet users have reacted with outrage as well, asking, "Why do they always exaggerate their kids’ hobbies, turning them into addictions or problems?”
On a Chinese news forum, one member called for greater tolerance of Web habits: “I am sure only China has such a term: Internet addiction…. Why can’t its people accept new ideas and new things with an open mind?”
The Chinese obsession with internet addiction maybe highlights the speed with which the recently-agrarian country has moved into the modern age. Tech advances and the lifestyle changes they bring with them are coming so incredibly quickly in that country, it's not surprising that people are freaking out. Even here in the U.S., the advances in technology sometimes feel like suddenly waking up in a science fiction movie. Don't underestimate what the sudden introduction of radical technological change into a culture that's thousands of years old will do.
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Displaying 1–17 of 17
stew1e
I can't this is still going on, even in a communist country
adamfrancuzik
That's just so wrong. Blame Communism on this one... maybe even a bit of Fascism. Wasn't it the Nazis who burned books to keep away certain information?... Sounds like the same situation here. Killed for being "addicted" to the internet?! Come on... That's just ridiculous!!! I think everyone should have the right and freedom to examine any publicly released information.
polkm212
Why were there three guys beating one kid? How could you ever even get in that situation?
collinE
I wonder which is worse for someone's health: being addicted to the internet... or death.
tarbis
That was extreme, discipline should be that extreme. Those old guys must be losing it now. My parents aren't that hard on me.
ihitterdal
I'm very, very glad I'm a misanthrope.
BBROBO2010
Well which would you rather have a internet addiction or alcoholic addiction? My father chose beer over raising his own kids. If he chose WoW over me I could still play with him online and communicate with him which he would remember the next day. Even kids that are addicted to weed are in more danger than those addicted to the internet, at least outside of California. So from what I can see until internet addiction gets people killed like many other worse addictions I say PLAY ON! OR GET A REAL LIFE! That is what life is for... to LIVE IT. If you have a problem with your nagging wife maybe you need to change and realized what a relationship is truly about. If you enjoy communicating over the internet through ask yourself what reward are you getting from that communication and could that reward be more significant with a relationship based on feelings and growth.
The human condition is to grow, learn, and be significant for men and be connected with other people for women. So we can see why men were drawn to video games more than women were until recently. Until you take a step back and ask yourself am I really growing? learning something of significance? Am I of any significance to this game? What would really happen if I just stopped playing for a week? If you even attempt to do this and pick up a hobby; music, sports, politics, poetry, or something of the physical or social nature your life would be more fulfilled because it is no longer just a selfish fulfillment but that which has actual consequences and rewards the base of true knowledge and experience.
Vesipham
All they had to do is take the computer away.
07howard
Jeeze
NortheastMonk
This is very sad.
Omega1388
The internet not only killed the TV and the music industry but also kids in China the web is so cool.
snookgum123
I agree I have more interest in my internet social life than i do with my wife. It's just wierd that all I see is a char and not rl but I enjoy talking to them more than I do with my nagging wife. That it it's becuase they dont nag as much as my wife do o.O
N8R
The term "internet addiction" is indeed a worldwide thing. Americans are just touching on the subject now. I personally, find it hard to argue. I lost count of how many people I know that have wrecked a relationship because of WoW.
There really are people when given the ultimatum "wife and kids, or WoW"... they still pick WoW.
IcemanMX
I get the feeling that you also believe that Chinese society is going to end up similar to what George Orwell describes in his classic, "1984", don't you, Mr. Johnson?
-M
clorin12
I noticed I cant add this story to my facebook page is that do to china's internet restrictions?
westpark
nice and classy
TKEmysterio
Maybe they thought he had an extra life?!? Sorry... couldn't help it.
Displaying 1–17 of 17