China tackles youth internet addiction

CHINA is launching an experimental summer camp for 40 youngsters to try to wean them off "internet addiction". The ten-day programme will accept 14-22 year olds once they had undergone a psychological test and evaluation.

About 2.6 million - or 13 per cent - of the country's 20 million internet users under 18 are now classed as addicts, state media has reported. The youngsters at the summer camp will be treated for depression, fear, unwillingness to interact with others, panic and agitation. It's a rather softer option than the Internet Addiction Treatment Centre near Beijing, which uses a blend of therapy and military drills to treat children addicted to online games, porn and cybersex.

Concerned by a number of high-profile internet-related deaths and juvenile crime, the government is also taking steps to stem addiction to the internet by banning new internet cafes and mulling restrictions on violent computer games. According to government figures, there are 113,000 internet cafes and bars in China. In a joint effort with the camp, Shanghai's education commission has organised a volunteer group to patrol the city streets and stop minors entering cafes.

FACT OF THE DAY 515m

COMPANIES in the FTSE 100 paid their top executives more than 515 million last year, at an average of 1.2 million per director, according to The Hay Group, which represented 0.5 per cent of their combined profits.

It pointed out that as well as creating 101 billion of post-tax profits for shareholders, the firms contributed 54bn to the Treasury in corporation tax, and employed 4.6 million workers.

GOOD DAY

Rolls-Royce

THE British aero-engine maker said its Trent 1000 design had received its airworthiness certification, clearing the way for the first flight of Boeing's fast-selling 787 Dreamliner. "The Trent 1000 continues to set the pace on the 787 programme," Rolls added.

BAD DAY

Indesit

The kitchen appliance manufacturer is to close one of its factories with the loss more than 600 jobs. Work carried out at the company's Blythe Bridge site in Staffordshire will move to bases in Poland and Italy. A total of 619 employees will leave from as early as next month.

KILLER QUOTE

IT'S not the price that sells the consoles, it's the games that sell the consoles. From that perspective, Microsoft is in pretty good shape."

One analyst commenting on Microsoft's decision to cut the US price of its main Xbox 360 game console by 13 per cent in an effort to boost summer holiday sales.