The goverment starts cracking down on the local internet cafe’s, in this case it is in China. But it’s only the illegal internet cafe’s, also known as “net bars” in China, that are being hunted down. The net bars are seen everywhere across China with China’s economy on the rise, from the corner of a well known street to the upper floors of “supposedly” empty buildings. This is China’s way of dealing with the rise of “internet addiction” that is sweeping the country, mainly among the youth of China. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen an Asian country trying to “tone down” the amount of internet users, South Korea has also tried to stop the gigantic boom of online gamers. Though China’s way may seem more “authoritative” compared to South Korea’s method.
With the huge flux of online gamers in China (a staggering 23% rise, bringing the number up to 40.17 million reported), a big boom of “illegal” (not reported to the goverment) net bars. The goverment blames the rise on the juvenile crime happening in China. To stop the “youth” from being corrupted, the goverment has made it law for net bars to reject children as customers and put a limit to a customers time on the computer after a few cases of people dying from fatigue as a result of playing online games practically non-stop. To step up the effort, the goverment has started scouring for “illegal net bars,” including a raid at the southern Chinese border city of Shenzhen. The local police found 563 “illegal net bars” resulting in 1407 confiscated computers and seven people arrests. Via Reuters.
Impression:
Pretty heavy stuff there, though that isn’t surprising considering China’s history of goverment rule/oppression. I know that there is a huge amount of gamers here in the US that comes not only from online games through the PC but across all of the major consoles; the PS2, PS3, XBOX, XBOX 360, and I’m sure the Wii will be a big hit as well when they come out with a solid game that you can play online. I myself was big on online gaming when I was in high school, but I only play on my PS2 and Wii (though the Wii is getting boring quite quickly lol, waiting for Super Smash Brawl, which they sadly pushed back by one month T-T). I recently heard of Mabinogi, which is a online RPG coming to North America and supposedly F2P (free to play), looking forward to playing it ^^. Though I agree with the Chinese goverment that there should be a limit to the amount a person should play, at least take a break every hour or so to rest your eyes or else they will become as bad as mine lol. Hearing of people dying from fatigue sounds stupid but is pretty serious when it deals with death, stopping just to sleep isn’t a bad thing ;p. Busting the illegal net bars isn’t bad either, more of a safety and health precaution, for they were in abandoned building and in 40-square meter rooms. The buildings could crumble, have asbestos, bad ventilation, etc; the same could be said for the small rooms. But it might be better if China introduces something like South Korea’s boot camp to help people addicted to the internet by exposing them to exercise and the outdoors and no “real” access to a computer.
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Well, what hasn’t been said in this article is that China somehow fears the power of freedom of expression, especially if it goes against the government. (I don’t think I’m inventing it… Wikipedia there has been banned for a certain reason)
China seeks progress and develops itself so well that many other countries are scared of this emergent economic superpower. This change also brings more availability to everyday’s high-technology to more people.
The youngest generations then have the chance and opportunity to explore new horizons, sometimes without any sense of self-control (meaning they abuse it).
And to respond to this massive demand, some evildoers, seeking profit, open and operate those illegal netrooms.
Am I right? Am I wrong? At least this is how I interpret it.
By the way, my dear AS, don’t bury the Gamecube yet… It’s not that old, and I’m still playing it (Just waiting for my Freeloader to arrive so I become a videogame freak again). ^^
In my country, students are prohibited from playing online games in internet shops during school hours but the policy is not being implemented consistently. And I only play on my PC and PS2 ^^
shinji’s last blog post..Narcissu: Visual Novel Review
lol, after i got internet in my house. I seldom go to the local internet cafes and i stick to my computer only since i got no ps2/xbox or wii. I only got ps1 to play FF9. =P
Choo’s last blog post..Which Naruto Character are you?
Yeah Shinji. Here in Australia, school kids are also prohibited from entering arcades during school hours, which is similiar.
Nice post. That was pretty interesting. I wished gamers would have more control. I don’t want the general public to think gaming is bad!
@D_Blade: Yep, China is becoming one of the strongest economic powers right now, probably will be at the top in about 20 years time. I believe you are right on those trying to get some quick cash with this recent frenzy and it will probably continue for quite some time with China’s growth.
@shinji: Enforcement is just a bother to the net bar owners and they rather not bother with kids coming in and out as long as they pay up. The same can be said with the rating system for games back in the US a while back, where a 11 year old kid could buy a M rated game meant for those 18+.
@Choo: I would probably do the same, no need to go out when you have it right at home. Home is always more comfortable than a crowded room full of people looking at computer screens for hours on end, which reminds me, I should stop looking at mine for a small bit lol.
@M12: Sigh, unfortunately games are one of the reasons behind “violence” here in the states, those trying to run for president right now are using “violent games” as a scapegoat for some of the shootings done by teenagers, makes me want to shoot them out of anger, GTA style….lol, j/k.
Well, here in Canada. We have some freedom. Highschool students have freedom to do whatever they want on the computer as long the teacher doesn’t see or mind. They can go to cyber cafes if they want. I’m not sure of the kids that are in younger age. What I do know is that people any age are allowed in cyber cafes. All you need is to pay and your in. I feel sorry for the people living in China though. Freedom of expression should be allowed. It feels like that the governement want their youth to do whatever the governement want them to do…
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Nice blog.
I spend a lot of time working on the internet, not as much playing games and can get tired and fall a sleep in my chair. have done it several times