China to unveil Internet addiction treatment standard by 2010

Beijing, Aug. 28 (ANI): The Chinese Health Ministry will announce standard treatment for Internet addiction by the first half of 2010.

A doctor involved with the government's research project has dismissed media reports claiming that the treatment standard will list those who surf online for more than 40 hours per week as Internet addicts, China Daily reports.

Tuesday's report has triggered a hot debate among Chinese Internet users.

Tian Chenghua of the Institute for Psychiatric Research of Peking University clarified that University's Hospital had been commissioned to carry out the research and make the standard.

Earlier reports said five experts from the Institute for Psychiatric Research of Central South University had been assigned by the Ministry to make the standard and announced the 40-hours-per-week as the treatment standard. (ANI)