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China web addict 'beaten' at camp | China web addict 'beaten' at camp |
(1 day later) | |
A teenage boy is in a serious condition after being repeatedly beaten at a boot camp to treat internet addicts in China, state media have reported. | A teenage boy is in a serious condition after being repeatedly beaten at a boot camp to treat internet addicts in China, state media have reported. |
Pu Liang, 14, is said to have been beaten several times by the camp's principal and by other students. | Pu Liang, 14, is said to have been beaten several times by the camp's principal and by other students. |
It comes after a 15-year-old boy was beaten to death earlier this month at another of the military-style camps. | It comes after a 15-year-old boy was beaten to death earlier this month at another of the military-style camps. |
The death drew outrage in China, where many parents and officials believe some children spend too much time online. | The death drew outrage in China, where many parents and officials believe some children spend too much time online. |
Pu Liang's mother told local reporters that she sent her son to the camp, in the city of Chengdu in Sichuan province, because he was spending too much time playing online games. | Pu Liang's mother told local reporters that she sent her son to the camp, in the city of Chengdu in Sichuan province, because he was spending too much time playing online games. |
Physical punishment is an effective way to educate children - as long as it can be controlled Wu YongjingHead of internet addiction camp Treating China's online addicts | Physical punishment is an effective way to educate children - as long as it can be controlled Wu YongjingHead of internet addiction camp Treating China's online addicts |
She said the camp claimed it could cure the "problem" for 5,000 yuan ($730; £450). | She said the camp claimed it could cure the "problem" for 5,000 yuan ($730; £450). |
But the mother said her son was beaten up and now has chest and kidney problems. | But the mother said her son was beaten up and now has chest and kidney problems. |
The camp is now closed and its principal has been arrested, according to Chinese media reports. | The camp is now closed and its principal has been arrested, according to Chinese media reports. |
'Punishment effective' | 'Punishment effective' |
Wu Yongjing, the man who set up the military-style camp, admitted to the BBC that youngsters were sometimes beaten. | Wu Yongjing, the man who set up the military-style camp, admitted to the BBC that youngsters were sometimes beaten. |
"Physical punishment is an effective way to educate children - as long as it can be controlled," he said. | "Physical punishment is an effective way to educate children - as long as it can be controlled," he said. |
China has more internet users than anywhere else in the world - almost 300 million. | China has more internet users than anywhere else in the world - almost 300 million. |
Some parents send their children to boot camps to cure them of their "addiction". | Some parents send their children to boot camps to cure them of their "addiction". |
At the camps, youngsters are usually put through rigorous physical exercises and taught to appreciate other pastimes. | At the camps, youngsters are usually put through rigorous physical exercises and taught to appreciate other pastimes. |
But treatment for internet addiction remains a controversial issue in China. | But treatment for internet addiction remains a controversial issue in China. |
Tao Ran, an expert on the issue at Beijing's Military General Hospital, said the rules covering this area were chaotic in China. | Tao Ran, an expert on the issue at Beijing's Military General Hospital, said the rules covering this area were chaotic in China. |
He said most people running internet addiction boot camps were not properly qualified to treat or handle youngsters. | He said most people running internet addiction boot camps were not properly qualified to treat or handle youngsters. |
"Only hospitals and doctors with proper qualifications should provide treatment," said Dr Tao. | "Only hospitals and doctors with proper qualifications should provide treatment," said Dr Tao. |
China's Ministry of Health said there was no scheme to register - or monitor - camps that treat internet addiction. | China's Ministry of Health said there was no scheme to register - or monitor - camps that treat internet addiction. |
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