DOI: 10.7256/2306-0425.2013.4.738

Abstract: The authors of the article analyzes Internet addiction in China at the analytical and empirical levels. The official position of the Chinese government on this matter is compared to pilot data concerning the popularity of this phenomenon and how it is connected with the modern system of education. The authors find out that there is a relation between Internet addiction and the dominating tendency towards collectivism and family relations typical for China. The authors also describe diagnostic methods and criteria as well as psychotherapy from Internet addiction based on the international and Chinese experience. Noteworthy that in China the Internet addiction is based on the conflict betwen the Chinese collectivism traditions and the Western individualism. Moreover, the Internet is believed to be one of the symbols of the Western individualism. This conflict is viewed in terms of technological modernization processes that lead to drastic changes in behavior of Chinese citizens. Socio-cultural factors also have some influence on the development of Internet addiction in South Korea and Taiwan. Moreover, problems associated with the development of the Internet seem to be common for a number of East Asian countries. The authors present the results of research of the Internet addiction that involved Chinese teenagers playing computer and on-line games. The conclusions made by the authors reflect the popularity of the Internet addiction in different groups of teenagers depending in their age, gender, experience in using the Internet an other socio-cultural and psychological parameters.