With the popularization of the Internet, Internet addiction has become a serious problem amongst youngsters.

A recent survey shows that as much as 15% of Chinese teenagers are addicted to the Internet. The chief symptoms include excessive reliance on the Internet, increased time spent online rather than in social activities, and a range of depression-based disorders when time permitted online is restricted.

Psychologists are concerned that continued over-exposure to the Internet will lead to young people being increasingly emotionally handicapped and unable to adapt to society, in extreme cases leading to aggressive and antisocial behavior.