The death of 15-year-old Deng Senshan highlighted the harsh treatment given to youngsters at various Internet boot camps to cure “Internet addiction”. As a result, China's Ministry of Health has banned the use of physical punishment to cure unhealthy Internet habits among the young.

The growing concern among the parents regarding the unhealthy Internet habits in their children led to a surge in number of clinics offering cure for such habits.

Presently, there are at least 400 private Internet rehabilitation clinics operating nationwide.

In august, Deng Senshan died within hours due to beating after he checked into an Internet bootcamp in the southwestern Guangxi region. His death led to a wide criticism of harsh ways used in such camps. Reports revealed that patients in such camp are forced to do arduous physical drills.  

Health ministry's website says, "Parents and teachers must analyse the causes and not arbitrarily condemn, hit or scold youths... intervention methods that restrict personal freedom are strictly forbidden and corporal punishment (is) strictly forbidden."

Hence the government strictly prohibited restriction of personal freedom and physical punishments. Guidelines issued by the government urged that main aim is to inculcate healthy Internet habits in youth not restriction on Internet use.