Internet addicts halfway house opens in Shanghai

[Dr. Jack]

Internet addicts halfway house opens in Shanghai


Mainland China has opened its first halfway house for Internet addicts, offering shell-shocked teenagers counselling, books -- and the use of computers.

The shelter can hold four minors for one-night stays and help bridge gaps between children and parents, the Shanghai Daily said.

"None of the teenagers are forced to come here," the newspaper quoted Wang Hui, the house's chief social worker, as saying.

"We wander around in nearby Internet bars at night and bring them to the halfway house if the teen agrees."

Computer and online gaming has exploded in China in recent years, with an estimated 14 million people taking part.

Amid growing concern that more and more young people are getting hooked, China has issued a raft of regulations aimed at curbing excessive game playing at Internet cafes and heavily fining owners that admit minors.

The Shanghai shelter, modelled on one already in operation Hong Kong, took in the first three boys on Monday, the paper said, including Chen Jiafeng -- a 17-year-old "fed up with the depressive atmosphere" of his family.

Chen went home after talking with a psychologist for four hours and after social workers visited his family to discuss proper parent-child communications, the paper said.

In May, the parents of a 13-year-old boy who killed himself after playing a computer game for 36 hours sued the game's Chinese distributor.

[Kramer]

Signs you may be addicted to the internet :

When you get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, you log on and check your email.

Before you make your morning coffee, you log on.

Virtual reality is more real to you than real life.

You constantly log on for a night with your friends, instead of go out with your friends.

You buy a laptop when you go on vacation or travel.

You've almost wet your pants because you did not want to miss a chat session.
Your handwritten papers contain a lot of s, LOLs, and other chat shorthand.

You have legally changed your name to your online nickname.

You know more about internet chat friends than you do your own spouse.

Your spose emails you when dinner is ready.

You check your email messages , find none.
You recheck to make sure its right

Your idea of a birthday or christmas card to family or
friends is an email card instead.

You email someone to wish them a happy birthday rather than calling them.