Standard for child internet addiction

BEIJING - China has specified the definition and diagnosis standard for internet addiction in its latest adolescent-health-education guideline.

Internet addiction refers to the subject exhibiting uncontrollable internet use without being affected by other addictive substances, says the document released late last month by China's National Health Commission.

The symptoms of internet addiction include academic, professional and social dysfunction following internet overuse, states the report, adding that the duration of the subject's addictive actions is a major criterion in diagnosing such a disorder, with symptoms having to have lasted at least 12 months.