In Depth: In China’s Youth Rehabilitation Industry, Abduction and Abuse Run Rampant

1. Li Shuai, a 31-year-old Chinese man, had grown exhausted from years of low-paid, grueling jobs such as assembly line work, construction, security, and food delivery. After five months of doing nothing at home in Xinyang, Henan province, seeking respite from burnout, he faced mounting pressure from his traditional father, who viewed idleness as disgraceful and accused Li of being sick for not working. Unbeknownst to Li, his father hired men to forcibly take him away for psychological “treatment.” Li was abducted, his phone confiscated, and transported to Renren Education Center in Jinan, Shandong province, for what he was told would be a three-month “transformation” program [para. 1][para. 2][para. 3][para. 4][para. 5][para. 6][para. 7][para. 8].

2. Renren Education is part of a burgeoning industry in China aimed at “correcting” young people perceived to have internet addiction, rebelliousness, or to be practicing “tangping” (lying flat and avoiding modern life pressures). The center claims to cure psychological disorders and teach values such as gratitude and communication [para. 9][para. 10]. However, testimonies from former attendees and their families describe a reality of illegal detention, physical and psychological abuse, and worsening family relationships. Renren Education’s advertised solutions—found via social media algorithms—appeal to anxious parents, but operationally, they subject both adults and minors to strict confinement, deprivation of privacy, strip searches, and staged communications with families [para. 11][para. 12][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15][para. 16][para. 17].

3. The correction methods at Renren are harsh. Li was confined with over 60 males in sparse dormitories, while more than 20 females were housed separately. Despite high monthly fees (exceeding $3,000 USD), conditions were poor, with overcrowding, lack of privacy, and intimidation. Books were censored, and sharing contact information could invite threats. Former inmate Nana recounted months of mindless routines and emotional numbness, sharing how families were deceived by staged videos showing apparent rehabilitation rather than mistreatment [para. 14][para. 15][para. 16][para. 17].

4. Violence was systematic and used to maintain compliance. Both Li and Nana witnessed beatings for any resistance, including minors. One teenage boy, Xiaohua, sent for internet addiction, emerged traumatized after three months—experiencing insomnia, violent outbursts, and severe anxiety. Medical evaluations revealed physical scars from torture (burning, electric shocks), and psychological assessments indicated high suicide risk. His father, devastated, regretted entrusting his son to the center [para. 18][para. 19][para. 20][para. 21][para. 22][para. 23].

5. The rapid growth of these centers is fueled by parental anxieties exploited by online algorithms, which direct families to “correction” institutions through targeted ads. Parents, like Zheng Tao, sometimes enroll children after superficial tours, only to discover later abuses or shifting of locations following police raids. Legal battles are complex: facilities frequently change names and evade accountability, making redress difficult. While some, like Lu, managed to press assault charges, most families achieve little justice [para. 24][para. 25][para. 26][para. 27][para. 28][para. 29][para. 30].

6. Legally, the status of these centers is ambiguous. Detaining adults is illegal, while minors are largely under the legal guardianship of parents and schools. China’s official specialized schools for severe juvenile cases are limited—only 230 nationwide as of 2024—leaving a gap filled by semi-legitimate private boot camps. According to legal experts, parents cannot lawfully outsource fundamental guardianship or restrict personal freedoms via commercial contracts. Ultimately, the underlying family and societal pressures play a critical role [para. 31][para. 32][para. 33][para. 34][para. 35].

7. In January 2026, authorities in Jinan launched a criminal investigation into Renren Education. Meanwhile, survivors like Li Shuai continue to seek justice and raise awareness online, though the psychological and familial trauma lingers for many [para. 36][para. 37][para. 38].