The number of young Internet addicts had soared to 24 million by 2009, almost double the figure for 2005, as the nation's Internet population continues to skyrocket, a survey shows.

The addicts accounted for one in seven young Internet users, according to the poll.

"The survey results highlight the worrying situation of the ever-growing number of young Internet addicts," Hao Xianghong, secretary-general of the China Youth Association for Network Development (CYAND), said yesterday at a press conference to release the results.