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According to Block, internet addiction consists of three subtypes: excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations and email or text messaging. He also claimed the subtypes contain four components: excessive use, tolerance, withdrawal - which includes feelings of anger, tension or depression when a computer

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is inaccessible - and negative repercussions including arguments, lying and fatigue.

The syndrome is being considered for listing after a game related murder and a series of 10 heart and lung related deaths in internet cafes in South Korea. The South Korean government estimates that 210,000 South Korean children are afflicted and require treatment, according to Block.

China has also expressed concern; at a recent conference, Tao Ran PhD, the director of addiction medicine at Beijing Military Region Central Hospital, reported that around 10 million teenagers meet internet addiction diagnostic criteria. As a result, China began restricting computer game use in 2007 and current laws now discourage more than three hours of daily game use.

"Unfortunately, internet addiction is resistant to treatment, entails significant risks and has high relapse rates," claimed Block.