Beijing government has just banned the opening of new Internet Cafès in 2007, Reuters news service reported today. Chinese authorities declared that a similar decision was due to their concern about the increase of cases of Internet-addiction and Juvenile crimes linked to web activities.

 Actually, China has registered an alarming rise in the number of teenagers and young adult Internet addicts: for example, a case of deathly internet-devotion dates back to last week when a 26-years-old man died after a "marathon" online gaming session  .

 And just last month 8 young Internet-geeks were arrested for producing and disseminating a severe computer virus . 

The worry about the influence of Internet Cafès on teens, however, isn’t connected just with Cyber Crime, since according to Chinese deputy Yu Wen  "It is common to see students from primary and middle schools lingering in Internet bars overnight, puffing on cigarettes and engrossed in online games." 

Beijing already adopted some countermeasures such as restricting minors from cyber cafes and limiting online game playing times, but these initiatives should not have  worked properly… 

"In 2007, local governments must not sanction the opening of new Internet bars," Xinhua news agency quoted a directive jointly released by 14 government departments, including the Ministry of Culture, as saying.

The notice said Internet cafés that had received planning approval would need to be completed by 30 June 2007. 

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