Top schools in Singapore have called in psychiatrists to straighten out kids suffering from Net addiction.

Doctors warn that cases of Net addiction have rocketed from just three cases a year in 1996 to 80 a year.

This virulent epidemic is causing worry in Singapore where three out of five people have Net access.

Medics warn that the disorder - caused by excessive Net usage - causes unsociable behaviour among teenagers affecting schoolwork and relationships. Symptoms include moods swings, sleep loss and can lead to violence.

The Straits Times reports that it can even lead to "isolation and suicidal thoughts".

Of course, the challenge for the experts is to diagnose whether the kids are suffering from Net addiction - or whether they're just being...erm...teenagers.

Two years ago psychologists in the US said that eleven million people were addicted to the Net. No doubt that figure is even greater now.

Last year, a Scandinavian chauffeur entered a clinic to try and cure his SMS addiction after his habit left him sending more than 200 messages a day. ®

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