'Computer-addicted' boy beats up mom in HK

A 14-year-old “computer-addicted" boy beat up his own mother in Hong Kong after she scolded him for playing computer games too much in their house, a Hong Kong news site reported. The teenage boy was arrested Monday following the incident at their flat in Winki House in Mong Kok, according to a report on Hong Kong’s The Standard. It was the latest incident involving an argument over computer game playing, The Standard reported. According to the report, three teenagers have jumped to their deaths after arguments with their parents because of playing computer games in the past three years. On the other hand, another three youngsters had assaulted parents for the same reason, the report said. In the latest incident, the 42-year-old mother told the boy at about 1 a.m. Monday to stop playing for long periods as it would adversely affect his health. When the boy refused to listen, an argument ensued where the boy allegedly pushed his mother to the ground and punched her in the nose and head. The commotion alerted his father, who stopped him while neighbors called the police. While the boy was arrested, his sister accompanied their mother to Kwong Wah Hospital for treatment. She was eventually discharged from the hospital. The boy was arrested for assault resulting in actual bodily harm but was later released on bail and ordered to report to police next month. He was not charged. Social worker Tan Kong-sau said it could be a case of domestic violence, adding the relationship between mother and son may have been strained long before the incident. “We need to find out if this is the first time or whether he has done this before... The mother needs time to calm down and recover mentally. The violence may affect her self-esteem," she said. But neighbors also said that they were aware of the boy’s addiction to computer games, although the family never argued. Some neighbors said they were aware of the son’s addiction to computer games but that the four- member family rarely argued. Summer holidays Tan also said students may spend more time on computer games as they are now on their summer holidays. She suggested parents discuss with their children about how much time they can spending playing. “Sometimes, parents only tell their children not to do this or that without saying why. They should let their children know the reasons," she said. — TJD, GMA News