By Kim Tae-gyu
Staff Reporter

The number of Korean Internet addicts inched down this year, but their symptoms worsened since seven out of 10 addicts suffer from insufficient sleep, according to a government poll.

The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) said yesterday that the number of Internet addicts decreased to 2.4 percent this year from 3.3 percent in 2004 based on a survey of 3,000 netizens.

The rate of those who have a high risk of becoming obsessed with the Internet also went down 1.2 percentage points to 10.2 percent from 11.4 percent during the cited period.

However, the survey found the addict group suffers from more serious side effects because 69.9 percent of them said they are suffering from lack of sleep, up from 59.1 percent last year.

In addition, 60.3 percent of them responded that the Internet disrupts their daily lives, up from 43.9 percent in 2004.

``This year’s survey shows mixed results of a stark polarization: the number of Web addicts substantially dwindled but their symptoms worsened,’’ MIC director Jang Seok-young said.

The ministry carried out the annual survey of 3,000 Web surfers in April and May in collaboration with its affiliate, the Korea Agency for Digital Opportunity and Promotion.

Experts point out that less sleep caused by compulsive Internet use is a serious problem because it opens the door to Web addiction.

``Staying awake in cyberspace at night damages people’s normal lives, such as relationships with their friends during the daytime,’’ Kookmin University professor Lee Su-jin said.

``It is a vicious circle because their damaged relationships prompt them to cling to the virtual world at night.’’

More vexing is that young users in the country, where more than 70 percent of the population goes online regularly, has a higher tendency of staying in cyberspace without sleeping.

The MIC poll reveals that 26 percent of preteens and teenagers between nine and 19 feel their Internet usage is serious compared to the average of 19.8 percent.

Korea University professor Kwon Jung-hye pointed out that the compulsory overuse of the Internet is widespread among the younger generations and is a social malaise.

``From a conservative perspective, about 10 to 20 percent of high school students can be categorized as Web junkies who need treatment. We must take this problem more seriously and tackle it now,’’ Kwon said.

She went on to say that the prevention of youth Internet addiction is the most pressing issue.

``Teenagers are easily tempted to become hooked to escape the stress of exams and their lack of self-control results in addiction,’’ Kwon said.

``Rather than addressing the problem after Web addicts develop, we should prevent it from happening.’’

voc200@koreatimes.co.kr