In an era where online gaming has become a major entertainment trend and an essential part of many young people’s lives, it’s more than just a game. For them, it’s a way to express themselves, socialize, and connect with friends, especially for those who don’t have many relationships outside the virtual world.

One such case is 16-year-old Liu Chi from Zhejiang, who grew up living with her grandmother and rarely stayed with her busy, successful parents. Recently, during a family gathering, Chi’s father discovered she had secretly spent money on her gaming account. He lost his temper and scolded her harshly.

Sensitive to her parents’ criticism, Chi barely spoke. She grew quiet, ate less, and spent long hours alone in her room. But she decided to rebel. Using the excuse of going out to buy food, she ran away from home and took a train from Zhejiang to Shanghai.
When Chi didn’t return for a long time, her mother panicked and rushed to the police station to report her missing. Thanks to quick action from the police, the 16-year-old was found safe. The officers gently comforted her and encouraged her to return home.

The police also spoke with the parents, stressing the importance of guiding teens with positive communication methods instead of escalating conflicts. The family was relieved but shaken by the incident. A relative thanked the rescue team, saying, “Thank you! Because of you, our daughter was found safe. From now on, we will pay more attention to how we communicate with her.” After that, Chi returned home with her parents.
Following the incident, Chi’s family decided to seek help from a psychologist for her. Meanwhile, her parents enrolled in parenting classes focused on raising kids in the digital age.
In reality, many parents today are either too busy or lack the skills to listen and understand their children. When kids make mistakes, parents often react with harsh punishments or bans instead of calmly exploring the root causes. This can make children feel abandoned and unloved, leading to negative thoughts.
Also, gaming itself isn’t bad, but uncontrolled play can have serious consequences. Instead of banning games outright, parents should work with their kids to set reasonable limits, explain the value of money, and teach them how to manage their finances.
According to News.QQ