Beijing bans beatings of Web addicts

The Ministry of Health has issued new rules banning the beating and involuntary confinement of young "internet addicts" at rehabilitation camps around the country, the AFP reported. The new rules followed revelations of abuse at numerous clinics. In August, a 15-year-old boy was beaten to death at an internet addiction camp in Guangxi. The death provoked outrage around the country and led to the discovery of abuse at similar clinics. The Ministry of Health advised restraint in dealing with such teenagers as "internet addiction" is still poorly defined: "Parents and teachers must analyse the causes and not arbitrarily condemn, hit or scold youths… intervention methods that restrict personal freedom are strictly forbidden and corporal punishment (is) strictly forbidden."