Chinese dad sues online gaming companies for US$1.5 to force strict anti-addiction rules
Case attracts widespread attention, rallying support for Qin in his quest to urge these companies to strengthen regulations that protect minors
A father in central China, whose gaming-addicted son swallowed 18 fever pills in one go, has sued four mainland gaming companies, seeking a symbolic compensation of 10 yuan (US$1.5).
However, his primary hope is that the court will supervise these companies to ensure they fulfil their obligation to prevent minors from overindulging in gaming.
The father, whose surname is Qin, filed the lawsuit against domestic game companies – Tencent, NetEase, miHoYo, and 37 Interactive Entertainment – in a court located in Tanghe County, Henan province, where he lives, as reported by Shandian News.
The lawsuit was initiated roughly one month after Qin’s son, who turned 18 at the beginning of this year, ingested 18 fever pills on the evening of May 23.
Hours later, the young man vomited profusely and collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with drug poisoning. After receiving medical treatment, the boy returned home to recover.
He has been unwilling to disclose to his family the reasons behind his excessive medication intake, particularly as he exhibited no symptoms of fever.