Watch Web Junkie

Web Junkie is a documentary that examines the growing problem of internet addiction in China. The film follows three teenagers who are sent to a rehabilitation center by their parents in an effort to break them free from their online addiction. The focus is primarily on one of the teenagers, a 16-year-old boy named Hope who is addicted to online games.

The documentary takes us through the rehabilitation process, which includes a mix of therapy sessions, military-style discipline, and physical exercise. Hope and the other patients are kept under strict surveillance and have no access to the internet during their stay at the center. The goal is to help them reconnect with the world outside of the internet and learn to socialize with their peers.

Throughout the film, we hear from the parents of the teenage patients and see how internet addiction is impacting their family life. Many of the parents feel helpless and don't know how to communicate with their children. Some of them blame themselves for their child's addiction, while others blame the internet and the broader culture of technology.

We also hear from the doctors and therapists at the rehabilitation center, who explain the psychological impact of internet addiction on young people. They talk about how the internet can act as a kind of escape for teens who are dealing with anxiety or depression. It can provide a sense of control and distraction that's missing from their real lives.

One of the most striking aspects of Web Junkie is the way it presents the rehabilitation center as almost prison-like in its structure. Patients are subjected to intense physical exercise, discipline, and even solitary confinement if they break the rules. Some scenes feel reminiscent of a military boot camp rather than a rehabilitation center.

However, the film also shows the positive impact that this structure can have on the teenage patients. For many of them, the rehabilitation center serves as a wake-up call and helps them realize the full impact of their addiction. They begin to open up and talk to their families about their problems, and we see some emotional moments between parents and children.

Ran Tao, the director of Web Junkie, has said that the film is not meant to be a commentary on China or its government. Instead, he sees it as a universal story about technology's impact on society. The film does touch on some of the unique aspects of technology in China, such as the prevalence of online gaming and the country's strict internet censorship policies. But the themes it explores are applicable to many countries around the world.

Web Junkie is a sobering look at the growing problem of internet addiction and the impact it's having on young people and their families. It's a well-crafted documentary that balances empathy for the teenage patients with a critical examination of the rehabilitation center's methods. It's a film that begs important questions about how we can help young people live meaningful lives in a world that's increasingly dominated by technology.

Web Junkie is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 67.