TAIPEI - With the rise in middle school children frequenting Internet Cafes in China, hackers are becoming heroes in the eyes of today’s youths.

According to a recent survey by The Next Generation in Guangdong Province, younger kids are using the Internet more frequently, with 42.5% of middle school children admitting that they revere hackers and some 32.5% dreaming of becoming one.

Experts believe that the age of Internet users is decreasing because middle school students are curious and drawn to Internet games, which often become addictive. Results of the survey found that 60% of middle school students use the Internet Cafes before and after school, as reported by Xinhua Net.

The survey also found that harassment and violence are often linked directly or indirectly to students frequenting Internet Cafes. China will need to pay special attention to the effect Internet Cafes have on at-risk students, as these youths are especially vulnerable to the thrill and excitement that Internet Cafes provide.

Experts also agree that the low cost of the computer games adds to the addictive nature of the games, as one hour of playing time costs only six cents.