With people going online at a progressively younger age, teenagers are increasingly becoming addicted to the Internet. How to prevent minors from this addiction has become a common concern.

The new generation of teens is often dubbed Internet babies. Many of them learned to surf the Web even before they learned to write. While the Internet has enriched their lives and brought unprecedented convenience, its fragmented and entertainment-oriented content has also weakened their ability to focus and acquire deep knowledge. Internet addiction has seriously harmed their mental as well as physical health.

With their sense of values still immature, they can hardly discern and withstand temptations. Therefore, the government, enterprises, families and schools should work together to guide them.

According to a report by the China Youth and Children Research Center in February, teenagers prone to Internet addiction often have problematic relations with their parents. Parents should reflect on this instead of blaming Internet companies.

Schools should teach students how to prevent getting hooked on the Internet while Internet companies should exercise their responsibility, for instance, by limiting the time children can play online games.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Nanfang Daily on March 14)