A teen death at an internet addiction treatment center has sparked more criticism over the controversial institutions.
An 18-year-old had just been admitted to the treatment center in Fuyang City, eastern Anhui Province, on Aug. 3. After a mere two days, members of the center’s staff informed his parents that their son had been rushed to hospital where he later died.
The center’s director and four staff members were held for questioning by local police. The treatment center was shut down for an investigation.
His parents decided to send him to the treatment center when they felt they were unable to help their son address his internet addiction.
A postmortem revealed that Ms. Liu’s son had suffered at least 20 external injuries, in addition to several internal injuries.
“My son’s body was completely covered with scars, from top to toe. ... When I sent my son to the center he was still fine, how could he have died within 48 hours?” the mother told Chinese media Anhui Shangbao.
China has approximately 731 million internet users. Around 24 million of these are considered to be addicted youth reported The Telegraph. That is approximately 10 percent of the online youth population.
Starting in 2005, it is estimated that at least 250 youth treatment centers have appeared across China, offering services to help parents with the treatment of addictions and/or rebellious behavior, reported South China Morning Post. Parents can forgo 30,000 yuan ($5,000) to institutionalize their children, according to the BBC.
