China to classify internet addiction as an official disorder



China has become the first country to classify internet addiction as a clinical disorder as growing numbers of people spend hours online every day.



Doctors in Beijing have released a diagnostic definition of the addiction amid increasing concern over psychological problems said to result from overuse of the internet.



According to the definition, based on a study of more than 1,300 problematic users, symptoms of the addiction include yearning to get back online, mental or physical distress, irritation and difficulty concentrating or sleeping.

China could become the first country in the world to officially recognise internet addiction as a clinical disease, as growing numbers of people spend hours of their time in chatrooms, blogging or playing online games

It classifies addicts as those whoof deeper psychological problems, according to Dr Tao, and all child addicts have behavioural problems, which are then made worse by their addiction.



China has an online population of 253 million people - the world's largest - which is growing rapidly as computer use rises with economic levels.

Dr Tao said he compared his data with that of experts in the United States, where internet addiction is not recognised as a disease.



Research by the internet media company InterActiveCorp revealed that 42 per cent of Chinese youngsters polled felt addicted to the internet, compared with just 18 per cent in the US.



Polls by the China Network Information Centre showed that nearly half of China’s online population were aged between 18 and 30.



Dr Tao's clinic treats patients who may also suffer from