South Korea has established clinical treatment centers for citizens addicted to the internet.
Web gaming is cited as one of the main triggers of addiction, which young users say can result in a total change in their personality. One teenager told the BBC he turns from a lively, outgoing, person while not online, to one who is sullen and short tempered while gaming.
Another youth, who also becomes anti-social, admits the line between real and cyber worlds often becomes blurred.
A doctor said clinical treatment is justified because people's brains are simply not functioning properly.