China begins clampdown on Internet gaming

[FredH]

I found this very interesting:

ONLINE GAMING ADDICTS in China this week find themselves the target of an offensive by the authorities to wean them off their habit.

The China National Children's Centre estimated that 13 per cent of the country's Internet users under the age of 18 are web junkies. As many as 2.3 million minors may be affected by this disturbing affliction, it said.

Now, eight Chinese ministries including the propaganda ministry, have banded together to put the squeeze on gaming, laying down strict guidelines as to how much time web-heads can stay online.

Meanwhile, gaming junkies are being sent to eight government-funded "rehabilitation camps" being set up around the country, in a response to claims that over wibbling can lead to criminal behaviour. Most inmates are sent involuntarily to the camps by parents worried about their boggle-eyed, sullen and occasionally-twitching offspring.

No new Internet cafes may be set up in the country before the end of the year, while those already open have to install what local media calls "anti-addiction software" on connected computers.

The authorities believe that any more than three hours gaming per day can begin to frazzle your brain. Five hours or more is positively unhealthy.

Internet cafes not limiting their gamers to within the guidelines will be shut down.

There are even reports that games sold in the country will have to be tweaked to shut themselves down when they are played too much.

More here (http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IG04Ad01.html)and here. (http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IG04Ad01.html)

[Marcus Dublin]

This is to be expected in a country that still practices communism. Looking beyond this though I feel as the Chinese gain more economic freedom and mobility along with a stronger middle class we'll see the social restrictions slowly come to an end and along with it the communist regime.

Marcus

[Hito]

The program is aimed at users under 18. Those family that enroll their child(ren) in the reform institutions more than likely no other options left. 1200USD monthly fee is a huge cost to the average middle class family and it is highly doubtable that kids are sent there without good cause.

the 3/5 hour limit varies depending on the source. Most sources does not specify whether it is per day or consecutive time after which a reset period must pass. The Inquirer (Where the OP is quoted from) claims 3/5 hours per day. Gamespot and one chinese source report a reset period of 5 and 2 hours, respectively.

These measures, a long time in coming, are perfectly understandable and acceptable given the circumstances.

[Antimagic]

No surprise here. Online games should, in my opinion, only be for adults. If starting to early, games can seriously cripple children's academic years. They would all be idiots for the rest of their lives. But, I do agree with Marcus, China will undoubtedly change in the near future.

[BDStevens]

I never got the appeal of the MMORGs. I get bored with them quickly and easily.

Internet culture, such as it is, will bring about a lot of these reactions as the years go by. Symptoms of change and all that. I would dispute that adults can handle the temptation to game their lives away any better than the average teenager. I know several fairly talented artists with good educations that have had their potential careers crippled by the WOWSARS. People are starting to talk about it in hushed tones like they used to talk about D&D and there are rumors that several major media corporations are beginning to incorporate online gaming as a detrimental factor in their HR schemes.

The creepy thing to me is the idea that "game addiction" may be creeping into acceptable psychology. As a parent I find this story particularly repugnant.

http://respublica.typepad.com/respublica/2007/07/no-excuses.html

The idea that the couple may actually claim some type of psychological addiction in their defense would be laughable if it wasn't so freakin' scary and sad. We need to start making games that people can play to enhance their lives, not take them over.

[MM]

whats wrong with communism?:eek:

MMORPGs are a danger to real society because they create a virtual society.......:D

[Ashron3d]

No excuses

A Reno, Nevada couple, Michael (25) and Iana (23) Straw, plead guilty to 2 counts of child endangerment and could be sentenced to 12 years in prison.

They claimed to be so addicted to online games, especially Dungeons and Dragons, that they did not bother feeding or caring for their two children, 22 and 11 months old.

The children were severely malnourished and hospital staff had to shave the head of the girl because her hair was matted with cat urine. The 10 pound girl also had a mouth infection, dry skin and severe dehydration. Her brother had to be treated for starvation and a genital infection. His lack of muscle development caused him difficulty in walking.
The Reno prosecuter, Kelly Ann Vilorio said, "They had food' they just chose not to give it to their kids because they were too busy playing video games."

There is some attempt to make addiction a reasonable defense. But what this is, plain and simple, is a case of two self-centered, self-interested, spoiled, lazy, irresponsible adults. Adult a word should be used with a grain of salt. Don't be excusing these two by claiming an addiction.


This is silly and very sad at the same time. Were they just watching their kids literally die and die slowly in front of them?

BDStevens --> You missed "can't" in your text. "I would dispute that adults "can" handle... I was a little confused by what you meant. Thanks for the article. I haven't heard about this one before.

[Frozan]

hardcore. guess ill have to buy my wow gold somewhere else. haha jk thats really interesting that its gotten this serious though