A boy died after being sent to an internet addiction rehabilitation center, prompting his parents to sue the facility. What exactly happened? How did the child suddenly die? Let's examine the sequence of events.
The boy, Li Ao, had dropped out of school early last year and stayed at home. He was particularly fond of playing video games and became addicted to the internet. Disregarding his parents' discipline, he frequently visited internet cafes and sometimes stayed out for over ten consecutive days without returning home. His family felt helpless. Seeing him out of school for half a year, they grew increasingly anxious.Later, someone advised his parents to seek help for his internet addiction.So his mother searched online for rehabilitation schools and found "Hefei Zhengneng Youth Training School." Without further investigation, she was drawn in by their proactive outreach. Since Li Ao's parents ran a business and couldn't personally deliver him, the school offered to pick him up themselves. This seemed like a thoughtful gesture, but things weren't as straightforward as they appeared.Li Ao had a somewhat volatile temperament to begin with. During the return trip, he refused to cooperate with the school staff. The staff then handcuffed him using restraints purchased online. Upon arrival at the school, they subjected him to mental and physical torment.It was summer, and they locked him in a sweltering room, restricting his movement, denying him sleep and water, and beating him. Just two days after arriving at the internet addiction rehabilitation center, the school called his parents to say he was suffering from heatstroke and undergoing emergency treatment. Soon after, they reported he had died. A medical examination later confirmed that the physical and psychological torment had caused electrolyte imbalance, leading to his death.
Li Ao's parents took the case to court. The court sentenced the school's director, Luo, to 16 years in prison, with others also receiving sentences. The school was ordered to compensate Li Ao's parents 32,000 yuan. Yet none of this could bring back a young life. This case underscores the critical importance of choosing legitimate rehabilitation centers for internet addiction treatment—never blindly trusting online advertisements.
Li Ao's parents deeply regret sending their child to an internet addiction rehabilitation center. While addressing internet addiction itself is not wrong, the problem lies in choosing the wrong institution and methods. If a child truly develops internet addiction, it must be addressed, as it can severely harm both mental and physical health.
What are the dangers of internet addiction?
1. Developing psychological disorders.
After becoming addicted to the internet, individuals often become isolated, reluctant to interact with others, and immersed in the online world. Prolonged exposure makes them susceptible to various psychological disorders.
2. Frequent late nights harm health.
Addicts often neglect sleep entirely, frequently going without rest. Continuous late nights severely deplete physical health, making various illnesses more likely. Sudden deaths from prolonged online binges are not uncommon, highlighting the serious health risks of staying up all night.
3. Diminished family bonds.
Children addicted to the internet often struggle to communicate effectively with their parents. Their emotions may become highly irritable and unpredictable, and they may frequently run away from home.
4. Vulnerability to scams and deception.The internet is not a pristine environment; it harbors scams and deception. Young children with poor discernment skills are easily deceived, suffering both physical and psychological harm.
Internet addiction is harmful, but when helping children overcome it, parents should choose proper channels and methods to guide them back on the right path.