China's Discipline Industry Faces Criticism Over Forced Adult Detention

In China, there are special schools that used to say they help young people who spend too much time on the internet.

These places now call themselves family education centres or youth development organisations.

But a news report says these places are also taking adults.

Parents pay a lot of money to send grown-ups there, sometimes against their will.

For example, a 21-year-old music student was forced into a vehicle by her father, aunt, and two staff members and taken far away for 11 days.

Her parents did not approve of her relationship and paid the school about $4,000 for six months.

A 25-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man were also placed in such facilities by their families, and one school even houses adults up to age 33.

Chinese law says it is illegal to lock someone up without permission, which can mean up to three years in prison.

Even if parents sign a contract, experts say that paperwork does not make it okay to hold an adult against their will.