Yang Yongxin ("Monster Killer")

Yang Yongxin, commonly known as the Monster Killer, gained notoriety for his involvement in a controversial and widely criticized program aimed at treating internet addiction in China. Born in 1962, Yang was a Chinese psychiatrist who developed and promoted an extreme form of therapy known as "electroconvulsive therapy" or "Internet Addiction Treatment," which earned him the moniker "Monster Killer" due to the severe methods used on vulnerable youth.In the early 2000s China faced a growing concern about internet addiction among its youth population. This led to the creation of various treatment centers and programs, with Yang Yongxin emerging as one of the prominent figures in this movement. He claimed that the use of electric shocks combined with psychological counseling could cure young individuals of their internet addiction. However Yang's methods quickly garnered international attention and widespread criticism. The use of electric shocks as a form of therapy raised ethical concerns and was widely seen as a violation of human rights. Reports emerged of physical and psychological abuse within these treatment centers, causing outrage among human rights organizations, mental health professionals, and the general public. Critics argued that Yang's methods were not only ineffective but also deeply harmful, causing lasting trauma to the individuals subjected to such treatment.

Despite the outcry, Yang Yongxin continued to defend his practices, asserting that they were necessary to break the hold of internet addiction. He claimed that the therapy was successful and that he had witnessed positive changes in the behavior of the youth who underwent his treatment. However the lack of scientific evidence and the alarming reports of abuse undermined his credibility.Over time, growing awareness of the harmful consequences of Yang's methods led to increased scrutiny and calls for the closure of these treatment centers. Advocacy groups and concerned individuals around the world campaigned against the use of electroconvulsive therapy for treating internet addiction. The Chinese government also faced mounting pressure to address the issue and reconsider the methods employed by Yang and others like him. As international pressure mounted, China began to acknowledge the problems associated with extreme treatments for internet addiction. The government initiated efforts to regulate and standardize the treatment of internet addiction, promoting more ethical and evidence-based approaches. In 2009 China's Ministry of Health issued guidelines that called for a ban on the use of physical punishment and extreme measures in treating internet addiction.

In the years that followed, treatment centers began to shift away from Yang Yongxin's controversial methods, though reports suggested that some institutions still operated in violation of the guidelines. Yang himself faced legal challenges and was reportedly suspended from practicing medicine in 2009 due to concerns over his treatment methods. The "Monster Killer" controversy not only shed light on the dangers of unregulated and extreme therapies but also highlighted the broader issue of internet addiction and its impact on mental health. It prompted discussions about the need for comprehensive and evidence-based approaches to address this growing concern, focusing on prevention, education, and healthier online behaviors. In summary, Yang Yongxin, also known as the "Monster Killer," gained infamy for his controversial use of electroconvulsive therapy as a treatment for internet addiction in China. Despite his claims of success, his methods were widely criticized for their ethical and human rights violations, as well as their lack of scientific basis. The global outcry and pressure eventually led to increased regulation and a shift away from extreme treatments, underscoring the importance of evidence-based approaches to addressing mental health issues, including internet addiction.