Online, but off the mark

With more people using the Internet as a source of information about medical problems and treatment, experts are warning that inaccurate content could pose a risk to anxious patients, as Shan Juan and Cao Yin report.

As more Chinese turn to the Internet in search of information related to health issues and medical care, concern is growing that people may receive incorrect or contradictory advice because of a lack of regulation related to online health information.

With 688 million netizens last year, China has the world's largest number of Internet users. A survey conducted by the health education center of the National Health and Family Planning Commission showed that the Web has become a major channel for people seeking health-related information.