A sampling survey released on Tuesday revealed about 85.6 percent of Chinese minors between nine and 16 were Internet users.

Released by China Youth Social Service Center (CYSSC), the survey found about 90 percent of minors living in cities had used the Internet, while the proportion in urban areas was 70 percent.

CYSSC, China Youth University for Political Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) jointly conducted the survey of 7,700 minors, as well as their parents and some teachers, in 10 major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing from August to December 2007.

The survey was conducted amid reports that more and more Chinese minors were alleged Internet addicts which worried their parents and brought much problems to themselves.

According the survey, 82.6 percent of minors had their own blogs and more than 80 percent had taken Internet courses. More than half enjoyed online chatting and 71.9 percent used the Internet as a method to acquire news.

About 58 percent regarded entertainment as the main purpose to use the Internet and only 6 percent specified using the Web for communication and making new friends.

In addition, the survey found the minors had different favorite places to use the Internet.

For minors in rural areas, 35 percent chose Internet bars as the main place to get connected. For those living in cities, 76 percent preferred home and 10 percent Internet bars.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2008)