A teenager in Anhui province has died at a boot camp which claimed to cure “internet addiction”, according to anhuinews.com. The eighteen year old boy, who has not been named, had been at the camp for only two days when his parents were contacted to say he had been taken to hospital. He died the same day, with 20 external injuries as well as internal damage.

Police have arrested the head of the school and four members of staff, but this is not the first tragedy in so-called “education camps.” In 2009 Deng Senshan, age 15, died on his first night at a camp in Guangxi province, after being beaten with a wooden chair leg and forced to run around the basketball court.

Authorities have been slow to respond to concerns. Draft regulations were published in January this year banning the use of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), often by unqualified and untrained staff, as a “treatment,” but this comes eight years after the practice was forbidden in hospitals. Education camps are big business: six months at the camp in Anhui cost RMB 22,800, and Deng Senshan’s parents paid RMB 7,000 to their son’s killers. There are thought to be around 300 such camps in China, although since they are unregulated no precise figure can be established.

“Internet addiction” is a controversial idea, with researchers divided on whether it exists as a condition in itself, or is a symptom of other problems. It’s officially recognized in China, but not in the US, although several psychiatrists argue for its inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).

Ironically, although perhaps appropriately, the first description of Internet Addiction Disorder turned out to be an online hoax, intended to parody the DSM’s attempt to compartmentalize all problematic human behavior.

Concerned parents should be aware that “addiction” is regarded as involving more than six hours’ internet use every day. If you’re worried about a child or young person, then you should seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional, and seek to open a dialog with the child in a supportive and non-confrontational way.

Photo: Kai Hendry via Flickr

Visit the popular Tai Tai store at its new location (same shopping strip, just down the road) — inside Stella’s Shop with Woodcarver. Already up and running, you’ll still find all your favorite gifts there, so do stop by!

Roundabout will hold its biggest downtown book fair ever this weekend at the Beijing City International School (BCIS), from 10am-3pm on Saturday. If you’d like to drop off books at the Shunyi Roundabout location, they will then turn them around to restock at the book fair, running until April 9.

If you’re interested in checking out the Montessori teaching method, you won’t want to miss The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) open house. Founder Principal Caroline Chen will introduce you to the benefits of enrolling your nursery through grade 6 children, and you’ll have a chance to tour the school and meet the teachers. RSVP to tinaliwalton@msb.edu.cn for this event, which is held on Saturday, March 23 from 10am-noon.

Do you have a child that you fear is becoming addicted to the internet — or at least internet games? If so, you’re not alone. Dr. Rob Blinn (Clinical Psychologist and Department Chair) of Beijing United Family Hospitals gave a parent seminar on "Internet Addiction: Preventing and Intervening,” held at the International School of Beijing on Tuesday morning. Some applications of the internet and gaming trigger an orienting response in kids (and adults!) — it’s fast and constant, and it allows no time for relaxing. We get used to this stimulation and ultimately dislike down times and slower transitions. Dr. Blinn suggested taking breaks to reset the nervous system. For our kids, model behavior by limiting your own screen time. And take deliberate time out to interact with your kids, filling what may be a void in their lives that is currently replaced with gaming. Realize that self-regulation has to be learned, and share with your child that you understand the addiction (who among us does not spend too much time doing one thing or another?). Internet Addiction Disorder is a very real condition that can lead to depression or stunt creativity — things we don’t want to see in our kids. Stay connected with your kids and be aware of their screen time.