The government in China has laid down a ban on beatings and other cruel treatments of young Internet addicts after harsh treatments were revealed throughout the country's Internet addiction rehabilitation facilities.
One case was even fatal for one 15-year-old boy. At the time of his death, an event which uncovered cruel treatment across the country and caused nationwide outrage, there were 10 million teenage Web addicts and 400 private rehab clinics.
"If they are levying a ban right now. Was it allowed before?"
Yes they did. And worse. Back in July 2009, China banned using electro-shock therapy on kids for internet addiction.
"BEIJING (Reuters) - China has banned electro-shock therapy as a treatment for Internet addiction, citing uncertainty in the safety and effectiveness of the practice after criticism in the local media."
probably not... it was however probably tolerated, or simply ignored...
though by common law (civil law, which china does have) anything that isn´t explicitly against the law is technically within the law, hence why they ban such practices; because they´re simply wasn´t already a law covering it, not necessesarially were they actually allowing it in the first place as DeepSand infered.
They "allowed" it in the sense that it was widely known to occur but the government generally turned its collective head until too many traumas or deaths occurred to such a point that they couldn´t just be silent anymore. Word was starting to leak outside China about it. Horror of horrors! In China, it´s more about saving face than anything else.
The usual government response to such a situation is to publicly announce the practice officially banned. If it quiets the public down and fades away by never being mentioned again, then the purpose has been served, and this usually proves to be the case - until next time - rinse, lather, repeat ...
By the time we hear about it out here, a far greater amount of damage has been done they they would have outsiders believe.
Unfortunately, it sometimes it takes a loud outcry causing public exposure to get positive action.
