China Internet Addiction

China has cemented its position as the world's largest Internet population, with the number of Internet users reaching a staggering 300 million at the end of 2008, according to the China Internet Network Information Centre.

But there is a downside.

At a newly created Internet addiction treatment centre, Cheng Jiawei had to finish one last exercise of arranging toy figurines in a sandpit, a way her doctors could understand how her mind worked.

Once spending 15 hours a day in Internet cafes, Cheng' arrangements toned down after two and a half months at China's largest Internet addiction treatment centre.

[Cheng Wei, Patient]:
"When I played video games, I believed that I was one character in the games. I made 'friends' playing video games that I couldn't make in real life."

Cheng's family spent 3,700 dollars on the treatment, while some 60 children are in the treatment centre.

Tao Ran founded China's biggest Internet addiction treatment centre, and is now looking for additional space as more people knock on the door for help.

[Tao Ran, Director]:
"There are more than 200 organisations offering treatment for internet addiction in China now. If it weren't for the fast increase in the number of these hospitals, we would have many more people coming here for help."

The treatment does not come cheap - each patient pays about 1,500 dollars (USD) a month, sometimes staying for up to three months.

Many are referred to psychotic hospitals for various medical conditions, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and autism.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• ntdtv
• news
• china
• internet addiction
• chinese
• internet population
• internet
• addiction

[drakencole2]

Untill now, i didnt realize how addicted to the internet I am :P

[iDaii]

the first girl was cute :D

[JunebugOwner101]

Yes, because everything is a mental illness. Of course.

[Leekduck]

@Esoparagon No it is an Australian accent

[Esoparagon]

@Leekduck No, that's a British accent. lol. I hope you were trolling.

[MrBoblebob]

here you go brain-washing on a can.

[imita01]

You know what none of these kids do...... smoke a joint...

[Icix1]

So, what's going to happen when they get out? Internet again, surrounded by your friends talking about some new game or some funny video. They're going to go back to their old ways.

[loveuropehateracism]

.... I want to be Cheng Wei's friend...D:

[NizzoniT0023]

Just get a boyfriend gg.

[kristallklar1]

"Psychotic hospitals?" LOL. I think you need to check the dictionary.

[groam6666]

Wow, talk about a waste of taxpayer money.