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Hedy Chen
Korey Bell
12th December 2023
The Digital Age and Its Impact on Youth
There have been notable cultural and technological changes globally during the digital
age that primarily affect young people. This research paper explores these impacts by discussing
how social media is changing culture technology growth in China, resulting in socio-cultural
changes and emerging challenges and solutions. This analysis section starts by looking at K-pop,
a cultural phenomenon worldwide, especially among young people, due to its presence on social
media. Even though it serves as a platform for global interconnection, serious concerns exist
about its influence on teenagers’ outlook toward life. In addition, this was not just a change in
entertainment but also had significant implications on youth culture through Facebook music
popularity. Therefore, this part will critically examine how it affects teenagers’ beauty, fashion,
and lifestyle mindsets. It should be noted that emphasis should be laid on why a balanced
interplay with digital cultures is necessary when dealing with adolescent behaviors, including
customer behavior and mental health.
The second part focuses mainly on internet development in China over time, which
resembles trends experienced in other parts of the world. Furthermore, an exceptional increase in
internet users within China and the growth of mobile apps and digital payment systems have
transformed the socioeconomic landscape. Some significant developments like Alipay and
WeChat Pay expansion efforts or even transition from fourth-generation mobile networks into
fifth-generation wireless communications networks, among others discussed hereafter, will be
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highlighted in this paper. There will also be a discussion about challenges associated with these
developments, such as issues related to cyber security or complexities involved in
interconnecting different parts making up the Internet backbone network architecture framework
worldwide called Internet Protocol version six (IPv6) versus IPv4 addressing scheme still widely
being used today. However, the third part talks about the dark side surrounding the recent rapid
expansion into cyberspace, particularly increased Internet addiction among young people in
China and rising cases involving online and telecom fraud. This section will examine how
society and individuals have suffered from being addicted to the web.
Additionally, the analysis will examine challenges faced when trying to fight against such
kind of crimes committed through computers or mobile devices connected wirelessly by means
like Wi-Fi hotspots found on streets where people gather together for free access to public
internet services without any restrictions imposed upon them, unlike what happens inside
homes/offices. Again, there is also a need to explore broader effects arising from these problems,
including academic decline due to the inability to concentrate during lessons. Few friends
leaving physical contact due to dependence upon social media only leads to psychological
problems, thus bringing out some critical points concerning the high costs associated with
uncontrolled digital growth. Part four gives recommendations on various issues discussed in the
preceding chapters. For example, it talks about legislation to reduce the harm caused by giant
tech companies, especially to children, and how specialized police units might generally assist in
resolving cybercrime cases. Furthermore, this section examines financial literacy campaigns
against internet scams and ways teenagers’ internet use can be controlled for better school grades.
Therefore, parents, teachers, and other computer experts will be involved to help them respond
effectively to these activities. Therefore, this article is more complex as it mixes different ideas
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concerning the Internet. Consequently, it seeks to give a hidden understanding of how
individuals’ lives have been affected by the digital age while balancing between positive outlooks
on technological advancements and negative views towards their impacts. Furthermore, this
study shows how little digital technology has changed everything and why it should be handled
with care for the sake of society, particularly young people. Consequently, the present research
examines some issues about what part the digital age has played in shaping today’s world and
culture.
Perceived Impact of Social Media on Adolescents
Social media influence teenagers’ lives. Communication, connection, and information
sharing combine to describe this phenomenon. Matthieu Guitton, an associate professor at Laval
University, Canada, and a fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute. He is associate editor of
Computers in Human Behavior noted that this development has allowed young people from
different backgrounds to interact freely (276). Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are not just
virtual spaces; they are living organisms where teenagers can share their emotions, learn new
things, and develop themselves. Nevertheless, there are also downsides to using these sites, such
as distorting reality among youths and affecting their mental health negatively. Social media
platforms have become increasingly crucial in youth culture to provide immediate information
dissemination and self-expression tools. These platforms support dynamic interactions with both
positive and negative aspects. On the one hand, it allows for creativity and socialization, which
are beneficial for teenage growth. Therefore, we need a strategic approach when using social
media so that its positive impacts outweigh its negatives.
By creating and maintaining group accounts on social media platforms, K-pop bands
have helped shape teenagers’ views of themselves and others. This led them to carve out spaces
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on various social media platforms by packaging their brand to promote celebrity worship and
idealized beauty standards, among other things (Ipl 12). K-pop historically belongs to the postKorean War era when American pop and rock music influenced it. The modern form of K-pop,
which we see today, started taking shape as early influencers like BoA and TAXQ emerged in
the 1990s, thus marking its journey towards international fame. According to Romano, K-pop
got worldwide coverage due to having an upbeat rhythm that appeals and lots of behind-thescenes work (“How K-Pop Became a Global Phenomenon”).
This further enhances the global impact of K-pop since they strategically use different
social media platforms. According to editors at Data Springs, a global Research, proud heritage
and one of Asia’s leading direct source and proprietary panels, they maintain multi-lingual
accounts on these sites to communicate with people worldwide in their languages (DataSpring
13). In the same light, such extensive outreach demonstrates musical charm within K-pop and its
power as a cultural phenomenon. These platforms offer avenues for expression and connection
while posing challenges that can affect young people’s outlooks on life and their general wellbeing. Based on historical origins blended with the strategic use of social media, the rise of Kpop exemplifies how powerful global cultural phenomena affect teenagers nowadays. This dual
impact necessitates a balanced approach by acknowledging the advantages associated with these
platforms, even as we address their potential negatives. Beauty and fashion standards have been
significantly affected by K-pop and social media. Adolescents often encounter glamorous photos
of popular K-idols through Instagram or TikTok, thus putting them at a crossroads to being
inspired or having unrealistic expectations. More often than not, these idols embodying idealized
beauty standards have a two-fold effect on their young audience as per Ingyu Oh,a Professor of
International Business and Korean/Japanese Cultural Industries at Kansai Gaidai University and
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Hyo-Jung Lee, Assistant professor Department of Statistics Kyungpook National University
(KNU), (Ingyu and Lee 72-79). It helps build individuality and creativity by encouraging
teenagers to explore different fashion styles and beauty looks. That is why they adopt multiple
aspects of K-pop fashion, including unique hairstyles and distinct makeup trends that enable
them to express themselves while at the same time connecting with other young people globally
who share similar interests (Ipl 12).
This influence is also harmful because it often promotes unrealistic and unattainable
beauty standards. Constant exposure to such images can cause significant body image
dissatisfaction among adolescents. Sometimes, they need to realize its impracticality for
everyday life to mimic appearances often achieved through professional styling, making, or even
digitally manipulated pictures. As such, it creates an imbalanced view of self-worth where
physical appearance precedes other attributes. The association of luxury brands with K-pop
music has led to more young people becoming materialistic. Such attitudes are usually formed on
social media platforms where famous K-pop stars have endorsed these brands. Jihyun Lee, a
Professor of Educational Assessment and Measurement in the School of Education, this is not
just about fashion but how culture has changed, and now, one needs to have some materials that
show their success and social status (Lee 1). This trend shows how consumer culture has
increased its influence in society, with certain brands serving as symbols of wealth and prestige.
With K-pop culture, social media offers entertainment and community; however, they can also
be dangerous to mental wellness. The dilemma of maintaining an appealing image online
combined with unrealistic goals set by both internet and K-pop idols may be too much for one
person. Virtual environments like cyberbullying, social anxiety disorders as well as depression
among teenagers are some challenges related to this (Matthieu 276). Constant comparisons with
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those who seem perfect online can make people feel less than or inadequate about themselves. It
calls for improved support systems in media representations while promoting digital literacy
skills among youngsters so that they can withstand such situations.
Through the influence of K-pop and social media, youth culture within Korea has been
significantly affected by luxury brands (Jobst 5). Consequently, how these goods are portrayed in
media has resulted in changes in purchase behaviors among teens who nowadays relate
themselves more to high-value labels than ever before. Thus, it is not just a matter of choice as
an individual buyer but reflects more profound societal changes where material success and
brand identification are highly valued. Therefore, aspirational qualities linked to luxury brands
mainly promoted by K-pop idols have become vital determinants shaping contemporary youth
fashion choices and lifestyle patterns. In South Korea, beauty ideals, materialism, consumerism,
psychological well-being, and luxury brands are notably affected by K-pop and social media;
these relationships are complex. Although it can be a channel for innovation and personal
identity, this influence has various drawbacks, including promoting unrealistic beauty norms,
fostering a culture of consumerism as well as aggravating mental health issues. Considering
these effects, young people should be educated about them to find strategies to resist them.
History of the Internet in China
There has been a rise in internet usage worldwide over the past few years, just as in
China. However, during this period (2020s-2010s), China significantly changed its online
landscape, resulting in the highest number of people connected globally. TheNET: Navigating
China’s Internet Infrastructure well supports this, which states that “China’s citizens are living
proof of its technological progress and digital integration, with over a billion users” [1]. The
primary purpose of this research is to investigate how the Internet has evolved in China by
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analyzing its historical development, significant milestones, challenges faced along the way, and
implications for society and technology. In the late 1990s, Chinese internet history started
growing despite facing some technological challenges during that time period. Nonetheless, the
lack of technical experts, such as bionics or big data and blockchain, hindered these
advancements (Guobin 49). Moreover, according to facts presented by Cloudflare, foreign direct
investments played insignificant roles. “Cloudflare notes that “only about 7% outta 10000 US
firms operate within China while those invested by foreigners constitute just under 2 % total
registered companies” (Cloudflare 6). All the same, these marked beginnings paved the way for
future expansion throughout the country, though many initial problems were encountered.
Around 2010, there was a massive shift within the Chinese digital environment, showing
an increase in numbers, meaning that there was a growing digital community worldwide. In
addition, by 2022, estimates indicate that China will have the highest number of Internet users
globally, at around 1.08 billion (Statista 1). Consequently, this exponential growth resulted in
mobile applications, completely changing everyday life in China. Also, regarding digital
transaction systems, Alipay and WeChat Pay became global leaders. At the same time, another
article on Chinese mobile payments claims that “WeChat Pay is a pioneer in a new payment
technology that uses QR codes” (Mehta 5). Thus, not only the financial sector but also
commercial and social interactions were significantly affected by such changes.
Breakthroughs in Internet Connectivity (1993 Onwards)
In China, the Internet started in the 1990s. In March 1993, the Institute of High Energy
Physics in China could have a cable connection to the World Wide Web (CNN 5). This marked
the start of China becoming a digital country. Since then, it has received much support from the
Chinese government and thus is available throughout the country (Webster 2); this resulted in the
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adoption of many digital resources that laid the basis for today’s industry with its various online
services and platforms. The mid-2000s also saw another phase of Chinese internet history
characterized by social media and e-commerce platforms. Sina Weibo was also launched during
this period; it is one of the most popular social media platforms in China. Shen Ruofan, a global
engineering manager in robotics automation & industrial engineering at The Estée Lauder
Companies Inc, the late nineteenth century became known as the golden age of the Internet in
China because huge strides were made towards e-commerce (Ruofan 3). Entities such as
Alibaba, now an internet giant; Baidu SNDA; and Tianya, which began around that time,
demonstrate how much economic growth depended on it and its role in fostering social
interaction within this area.
According to Haijing Hao, an associate Professor, Computer Information Systems
Associate at Harvard University, and Zhang, researcher in the area of large-scale data analysis,
found out that rapid growth in communication technology played a crucial role in shaping
Chinese Internet development over time (hao and Zhang 2). No other event can match the
commencing year 2013 when the commercial launch of China Mobile’s four-generation network
made big headlines in the country’s telecoms sector, that year also ended with market shares
controlled by “179.4 million 3G users and 322.3 million 4G/LTE users, respectively.” This
expansion grew fast and provided better user experiences, hence making significant strides
towards achieving digital connectivity goals in China. Indicating the country’s commitment to
enhancing high-speed communication technologies; after three years, there were more than one
billion 4G users with its commercialization on 5 Jun. In 2019, China became a giant hub for
next-generation mobile technology, a significant turning point.
Evolution of WeChat (2010 Onwards)
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In October 2010, WeChat was launched in response to China’s shifting digital landscape.
Originally a messaging app, it quickly evolved into an all-in-one platform with numerous
features. This marked the beginning of a new era in Chinese internet usage, where applications
became more than mere communication tools. In 2013, payments and e-commerce options were
added, turning it into a full-fledged digital ecosystem (Dataspring 6). As such, an international
version expansion beyond China’s borders indicated its entry into the global market, thus making
it one of the top social media platforms within Asian countries. From being an ordinary chat
program, it has grown into something much bigger and now serves as the foundation for all
Chinese netizens. Due to the rise of digital platforms and mobile payment systems, including
cyber attacks, security concerns have been raised. Even though these systems offer convenience,
specific vulnerabilities associated with them did not exist before. This incident highlighted how
necessary cybersecurity measures like solid passwords can prevent fraud from happening again,
showing why we should also protect ourselves against such practices. Financial management
challenges arise from these advances since transactions become more accessible, leading to
overspending without proper planning.
Throughout time, there have been variations in internet growth throughout China. For
example, significant asset reorganization related to telecommunication since 2008 has resulted in
resource allocation imbalance across region. Consequently, different interconnections exist
between extensive backbone networks owned by regional monopoly structures in China, causing
high usage costs or slow connection speeds on smaller networks (Li 148). It is further
exacerbated by the dominance of China Unicom in the North and China Telecom in the South,
leading to the ineffective functioning of markets, which affects the quality of provision services
offered by end users, like those provided through internet access. Finding a balance between
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innovation and regulation as China’s cyberspace changes is still daunting. The aim of using the
Internet for societal and economic advancement has been gradually replaced by concerns about
cybersecurity and data privacy, among others (Li 150). That is why there’s a need for fostering an
innovative environment where competition thrives while at the same time ensuring that our
digital lives are secure from any form of threat or danger that may emanate from within or
without country borders. This struggle will determine the future direction Chinese web space
takes and how it can continue acting as a driving force of change while protecting the interests of
its users at large. China has a history of the Internet that explains its rapid expansion, originality,
and adaptation. China’s journey in the digital world has been incredible, from the first cable
connection to the World Wide Web in the early 1990s to today’s era of 5G and digital
ecosystems. This transformation not only changed the technological landscape but also
significantly affected China’s social, economic, and cultural life. In the future, China will have to
maintain its growth while dealing with new challenges brought about by issues like cyber
security, data privacy, and equitable access, among others.
Adverse Effects of China’s Rapid Internet Development
China’s internet coverage is one of the most significant changes, making it one of the
most connected countries globally. As of 2016, it is estimated that China has over 1 billion users
while America only has 311 million people who use the internet. This digital revolution has
affected various segments within China, such as its economy and culture. However, there are
some drawbacks brought about by rapid growth rates, highlighted here in terms of their impact
on personal well-being or societal structure (Haijing, and Zhang 108).
Internet Addiction
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When internet access and utilization surged in China, the problem of internet addiction
emerged as a significant concern in public health. This became particularly obvious during the
COVID-19 pandemic when quarantine measures were extended, leading to increased usage of
social media platforms and digital devices for communication and information, thus depending
more on the internet (Li 148). As a result, there has been a rise in internet addiction, leading to
profound changes in China’s society, including family ties as well as social interactions. In
China, the kind of Internet addiction manifests itself in several forms, such as excessive use of
social networking sites or obsessive playing of online games. Its consequences are many,
including those that last long. Most often, these people fail to go about their normal daily
activities due to reasons such as disturbed sleep patterns, lack of physical exercise, and nonassociation with fellow age mates among others. However, children are mostly affected when
they experience schooling-related problems like poor performance in academics or difficulty
associating with peers. The Chinese government is aware that this problem is severe; hence, they
have taken steps to curb its adverse effects. For instance, they are limiting hours played by
minors on online video games or organizing public awareness campaigns warning against too
much surfing on the net. Nonetheless, it still prevails, requiring continuous intervention from
relevant authorities who must always be involved.
Impact on Social Lives and Mental Health
China has a high internet penetration, and its usage profoundly affects social life and
mental health. Sun a researcher on happiness levels in China, claims that excessive internet use is
closely connected to reduced levels of happiness among Chinese residents (Sun 42). This
reduction in well-being and happier feelings is caused by different factors associated with
internet use. One primary concern is that real-life social interactions and relationships are being
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destroyed. Online communication has made personal relationships less intimate or meaningful
than face-to-face contact, which it replaces due to convenience and immediacy. Despite people
being more digitally connected than ever before, this shift towards virtual communication has
resulted in loneliness and isolation. The internet acts as both a blessing and a curse when it
comes to information access and mental health. It provides unmatched information access but
also exposes users to harmful content like cyberbullying, fake news, traumatic news, etcetera.
Continuously being exposed to such kind of content may result in anxiety disorders or stress,
among other forms of mental illness conditions. The culture of instant gratification, together with
constant online stimulation, leads to decreased attention spans and an inability to engage in
extended focused activities, thereby affecting productivity, including creativity, and overall
cognitive wellness. However, these challenges are being addressed through growing awareness
among Chinese populations on maintaining a balanced approach towards Internet access, which
should be healthy, too, involving initiatives promoting digital literacy and responsible use while
emphasizing the importance of offline activities. Yet strategies to mitigate these negative impacts
on society need adaptation because internet usage keeps expanding too much.
Online Fraud
The internet has caused an increase in cyber and telecom fraud in China. However,
besides the benefits of making life easy and connecting us, these have become havens for
hackers exploiting weak systems. As per Li Huang, an Associate Professor of Organisational
Behaviour at INSEAD, and Henry N. Pontell, an American sociologist, currently a Distinguished
Professor and past Chair at John Jay College, They found enough evidence that China treats
cybercrime seriously, as seen from her newly enacted laws and establishment of relevant
government agencies (Huang and Pontell 2). They aim to protect individuals against financial
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fraud while maintaining digital ecology. Today, online fraud cases in China differ significantly,
unlike earlier periods when they were uniform. Unlike before, when these criminals used
phishing emails to carry out their illicit activities, they have now devised other sophisticated
techniques, such as hacking into bank accounts through online banking or e-commerce websites,
among others (Huang and Pontell 2). Most small enterprises fail to afford costly antivirus
software or lack the skills to install it properly.
In contrast, individual users are unaware of internet security measures, thus becoming
vulnerable targets for these hackers (Huang and Pontell 2). These include firms losing money
due to fraudulent transactions executed against them or innocent citizens whose savings
disappear after falling prey to scam web portals offering cheap commodities/services. The
second aspect pertains to fast-growing markets with many virtual marketplaces where
counterfeiters & pirates find it easier to sell their goods, posing severe challenges to anticounterfeit actions within such platforms (Huang and Pontell 4). Customers suffer while genuine
businesses are also affected because they cannot compete favorably with manufacturers selling
counterfeits at lower prices, discouraging innovation processes and leading to economic losses
within quality-conscious sectors. According to Piskorski, Professor of Digital Strategy, Analytics
and Innovation and Dean of IMD Asia and Oceania, Chinese authorities have partnered with tech
giants, including Tencent Holdings Ltd., Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Baidu Inc., etc., to
enhance cybersecurity measures to combat menace effectively. For example, implementing
tighter authentication procedures, using more advanced fraud detection algorithms, and creating
awareness about safe internet practices among the masses through public campaigns run by
different organizations would help achieve this goal (Huang and Pontell 3). However, despite all
these efforts being made, it remains difficult to handle such offenses because they are constantly
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changing across geographical boundaries since criminals can efficiently operate from any part of
the world without being traced back to any specific nation like China, where the majority of
attacks target.
Poor Academic Performance among Youth
China Internet Network Information Center data for 2018 estimated that China has over
900 million internet users. They continue to rise; over the past year alone, 40 million new users
have existed. Consequently, teens in Beijing or Shanghai can spend hours of their time chatting
with friends on QQ messenger or playing League of Legends. Nevertheless, such virtual
interaction might negatively impact their studies, thus lowering Chinese students’ overall
academic achievements. Internet use among kids and adolescents has dramatically affected their
academic performance: “Too much use of the Internet has been proven by researchers to be
associated with poor educational achievements among young people” (Jiang 5). They cannot
concentrate on their studies because they are often disturbed by social networks like WeChat,
where they spend most of their time updating statuses about what is happening around them
rather than doing assignments given by teachers at school. It is important to note that students
involved in excessive internet usage may face different consequences, including low grades
resulting from lack of concentration during class sessions, declined cognitive abilities, inability
to memorize important concepts taught under specific subjects, sleep deprivation due to surfing
web pages searching for information concerning some tasks assigned thus leading fatigue during
day time learning reduced participation rates school activities such as sports culture events
because they prefer playing games watching movies home instead involving into such
extracurricular which help develop an individual as whole person (Sun 42).
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Also, there are other impacts, such as depression and anxiety disorders, among many
others, which come up when one fails to access the game world since they become addicted to it.
Some of these children cannot manage themselves, especially when managing time between
doing duties assigned at home versus playing computer games until late at night before going to
sleep, hence causing quarrels between their parents and siblings who expect to do house chores.
At the same time, they prefer spending their free time online. The expansion of the Internet in
China has led to advances in the economy and society; however, it has also posed some
challenges (Olivia et al. 4). There are several issues, such as cases of internet addiction,
increased mental health problems, continued cybercrime, and poor educational outcomes for
young people in this country, that cannot be ignored. This country must take steps against these
consequences to maintain a good position of internet development within society. Therefore,
there is a need to balance the clear benefits of digital connection and its possible downsides
while creating an everlasting wholesome digital sphere for future generations.
Remedies to the Negative Issues Caused by China’s Rapid Internet Development
The Internet has affected our lifestyle, work, and communication differently. It is a musthave tool for modern society. Through this, however, people have been able to access
information at their fingertips on various subjects such as trade, education, health care systems,
and politics, amongst others, leading to improvement in these sectors globally, enabling
information exchange across the world at a very high speed. However, there are still some risks
associated with this incredible technology, especially when growth happens before any
regulations have been made concerning its usage as well as adapting socially towards its use by
individuals within an environment; one can observe it was happening in China, where rapid
growth of the online industry has changed a lot about our community today even though there
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are many good points that come out due to the fast digital explosion, including global village
concept where everybody becomes interconnected via internet platform regardless of
geographical boundaries between countries, making them feel like they belong together even if
they have never met physically before there are also some significant issues it has brought about
like internet addiction which affects every age group or rise in online fraud threatening both
individuals and businesses while decline in academic performance amongst young people just to
mention few cases that require immediate intervention if stability within Chinese communities is
to be maintained along with ensuring future success (He 9738).
Internet Addiction
Someone with a constant urge to be on the Internet spends excessive time there, and this
causes distress or impairment. According to Dr. Qiaolei Jiang, an associate professor at Tsinghua
Universit Qiaolei, this problem is so far-reaching that it affects children, teenagers, and adults;
therefore, society is deeply flawed. To help combat this among younger users, some actions
taken by the Chinese government include regulation of mobile devices by minors, as pointed out
by Qiaolei (4). This aims to build a cyberspace that promotes children’s physical and mental
well-being while marking the beginning of acknowledgment and response towards such
problems. However, whether these strategies will work effectively against large-scale internet
addiction or not has been debated till now.
According to Deniz Cemiloglu, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Computing and
Informatics at Bournemouth University, psychosocial approaches have shown promise in terms
of dealing with internet addictions at individual levels (1). On the other hand, scalability
becomes problematic since it may involve millions, if not billions, living within one country like
China, requiring more than only individual therapies but multiple approaches targeting different
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sectors within society, too. Another way suggested involves using laws deal with its root causes
Therefore; this might encompass stringent guidelines governing accessibilities age groups who
are considered most vulnerable due their young ages compared rest population Also;
involvement telecommunication firms could be necessary Furthermore; Community-based
programs may also be helpful here For example educational activities carried out schools
publicizing balanced usa
