Coffeehouses

Coffee, Controversy and Connectivity: Why Coffee Houses Concern Governments G lobal news organization, CNN, recently published an article on “Internet addiction” in China, where use of the web is growing at a phenomenal rate. In China, Internet addiction is classified as a mental illness and some of the statistics are startling to other cultures in which Internet connectivity is encouraged – viewed as a positive means of engaging others on a global scale. Not so in China: China has more than 400 private rehab clinics dedicated to Internet addiction. A 14-year old boy was nearly beaten to death and hospitalized after the brutal treatment received at the hands of other rehab facility members. Medical professionals in China have called for laws and regulations to govern treatment of Internet addiction, though these regulations are still not in place. Tao Ran, Director of China’s first Internet Addiction clinic, located at Beijing’s Military Hospital, stated that, “Internet addiction is treatable.Through three months treatment, 80% of the patients can get away from the addiction.” The country claims there are 10 million web addicts, In China, according to Tao, some youths are so mostly teen-agers. immersed in web-based activity, “They suffer None of these Internet “re-education” centers is depression, nervousness, fear and unwillingness to interact with others, panic and agitation” legally sanctioned by the Chinese government.  www.digitaldaya.com