Thursday, 24 August 2006

China Opens House for Internet Addicts

China has opened its first halfway house for Internet addicts, offering teenagers counseling. The halfway house for minors on the Chinese mainland welcomes such youth for one-night stays at its location in Pudong New Area. It officially opened yesterday in the Lianyang community.

"None of the teenagers are forced to come here," the newspaper quoted Wang Hui, the house's chief social worker, as saying."We wander around in nearby Internet bars at night and bring them to the halfway house if the teen agrees."

Modeled on the experiences of a similar facility in Hong Kong, the city's halfway house is a one-night dormitory for minors that gives psychological direction and helps bridge gaps between children and their parents. Teenagers can read books, use computers, play table tennis and play piano.