A student in her second year at the university went to the Beijing police on July 26 and told them how she badly needed some space away from home.
Surprisingly, parents described as “helicopter moms” were able to install a spy camera in the bedroom of their 20-year-old daughter, who is called Li.
She was nursed back to life by Li’s parents who were very abusive towards her. The violence that they perpetuated on her whenever she did anything wrong included smashing her mobile phone. She has been left with severe trauma resulting from constant surveillance and harsh treatment. In an attempt to gain independence, Li planned to find part-time jobs here in Beijing and save money. She approached the police hoping that they would report back where she is fearing that her parents may file a missing person report.
As Zhang Chuanbin, one of the officers among those attending noted when introducing himself to her finally said he: “Li, let me tell you this: your mum and dad did what they thought was right.” He linked up with the couple asking them not only listen but also respect their kid’s requirement for personal space even though they are grownups themselves. Consequent upon that, Beijing Police informed that Li’s mother and father relented with regards to removing the device while she went back home.
This kind of thing is not isolated in China. In June, a woman from Jiangsu province expressed gratitude for “accompanying my child for six years” after he finished Gaokao (national college entrance examination). Regardless of privacy concerns, she insisted that her son had agreed to have his room installed with a camera so as improve his grades.
Although China’s Ministry of Public Security promulgated minor Protection Law addressing internet privacy rights amongst other things involving minors’ communications it does not specifically mention about installation of cameras. Most mainland Chinese parents still unabashedly confess on social media platforms like Weibo or WeChat they have cameras in their kids’ bedrooms.
