A survey shows that seven out of 100 students in Seoul excessively use smartphones.

A Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education survey of 300-thousand students living in Seoul shows that six-point-51 percent or 17-thousand-400 use their smartphones excessively.

The excessive use of smartphones refers to cases where the use of device causes chronic fatigue, poor academic performance, attention deficit disorder and withdrawal symptoms.

Some 30 percent of the excessive smartphone users suffer serious negative side effects and need medical experts’ help.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will launch a counseling program for those who overuse smartphones and the Internet in cooperation with five counseling and treatment centers in the city.