As we know, the Chinese have been battling internet addiction using a combination of sympathy with discipline, in a military-style boot camp near Beijing. They use a blend of therapy and military drills to help the youth that are addicted to online gaming, internet pornography, cybersex and chats. Li Yanlin says that he watched a student's grades plunge after becoming addicted to internet games. After several weeks of "rehab" the student recognized the falseness of online gaming. The Chinese government are also taking steps in banning new internet cafes and mulling restrictions on violent computer games.
Now, out of that bit that I got from that article, it sounds neat for what the Chinese are trying to do for their youth addicted to the internet. However, I am a libertarian, and I don't think that government has to step in to make these corrections. It is up to the people to decide to do something about it because each one of us is different in every way. However, this should influence the youth to get in this boot camp but on their own will, not against it. I believe that this camp is very helpful, and honestly, it makes better people. But for a government to take these steps like so, I just don't support that.
The government in reality can't do too much because for one, the population in China alone is a lot more than they can count. They can put regulations on certain sites but there is always a way around it for that the education of the youth continues to grow and they will find ways to crack the codes that block certain sites. Think of all the proxy sites the US alone has. I remember in High School when we were at the library, they would have Facebook blocked for students to access, but a friend of mine showed me that you can google the proxy and therefore utilize the proxy and gain access to about any website that the school restricts. We had to be careful because we risked expulsion if we got caught.
The only thing I would say is to just find a way to influence the population into rethinking a step back to change their ways, and not force them against their will. I know a team will only work when everyone is committed, but some you can't force them. If anything, parental influence has a big role in how our youth acts in the first place. I know my parents would beat me if I were to step out of line. If anything, I am the disciplined man that I am today if it weren't for my parents. But thats just me.
I think that it makes a lot of sense for there to be a rehabilitation clinic for internet addiction. The addiction to the internet is as real as the addiction to alcohol and drugs. The differences are that there is much easier access to the internet, it is legal, and almost everyone does it. As far as the government influencing people to use the internet less, I cannot say that I agree with that. People should be able to do what they want as long as they are not trespassing upon others' rights. If someone wants to spend all of their life on the internet, they have the choice to do so. That may not seem like a quality life to most other people, but not everyone is the same, and if it makes that person happy, and (s)he isn't hurting anyone else, then who are we to tell him/her that it's unacceptable. The government really does not have a place in people's private lives when matters of security are not involved.
ReplyDeleteExactly my point. If anything, people just need better role models than than the ones on MTV lately. lol If we can fix that, the next generations will follow that path and circumstances can change.
ReplyDeleteInstead of rehabilitation clinics, maybe we should invest in parenting classes? I find a lot of the kids I have seen with addictions to the internet have little to no social interaction with other children outside of school and their parents. Sometimes this is not from bad parenting, where it may be a single parent household where one person is trying to provide by working excessive hours, but normally I see selfish parents that haven't learned the responsibility that comes with raising a child. I am not sure their is an answer to bad parenting, but the community used to take over when children's parents were unable. Now that children don't adventure into the community, aside from questionable virtual ones, they rarely find the environment they are seeking. I am sure the government, especially in the US, can't be much help, but I do applaud an effort being invested to the improvement of the children.
ReplyDeleteParenting classes would be a great idea actually. I think there are already parenting classes in high school, but more could be a bit more helpful. Or maybe we could revise some of those "parenting for dummies" books a little bit lol
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Chinese began with good intentions but some of these camps have gone overboard. Nothing can replace good, solid parenting. Once the child is out of control on the Net, it is harder for the parents to help their child get a handle on the habit. As I have stated before in a prior blog comment, the 'Internet discussion' needs to be added to the list of things that are reviewed with parents at the doctor's office. The only problem is that this topic is not on most physicians' radar. At least not yet.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately you are correct. Internet addiction hasn't been added to the DSM IV, and it seems like it won't be included in the DSM V either. There has not been enough research on the topic, but now, I think the world is going to begin paying attention. Most countries will not take such a strict policy against the addiction but I think it will be beneficial for the world's doctors to research this further, which at this point, with the explosion of social media, is only a matter of time.
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