MOSCOW, RUSSIA: Psychologists in Russia say addiction to the world wide web has begun affecting the teenaged population in the country.

This obsession with the internet could be on the same level as other social problems such as drug and alcohol dependency, Russian psychologists say.

The country is in danger of being overwhelmed by internet addiction, Moscow News reported citing gzt.ru.

Recent data suggests that between five and 14 percent of Russians show symptoms of internet addiction.

A typical case would be a troubled teenager - who logs on to the internet - but finds it difficult to form real-life relationships.