Getting married online nowadays has become a game popular among boys and girls. However, what they get from these "marriages" seems often to be anything but real happiness.

In a rehabilitation center for mentally unhealthy children, affiliated to the General Hospital of the Beijing Military Area Command of the Chinese PLA, some 80 young people aged between 14 and 18 are in therapy for their addiction to the internet. 23% of them have been married online, usually more than once.

18-year-old Xiao Jiang said that, after tying the knot online more than 100 times, he is now afraid of real marriage.

At first he felt happy, as he could talk and spend time with his "wife" anytime on the internet; and proud, as he could afford to choose the dress and other items for his "weddings". "I would buy her whatever clothes she wanted," he said, "It felt like I was the boss."

However, his marriages didn't last long, as divorce also only needs one click on the mouse. He understands that online marriages are different from those in the real life. "Real marriage is not that easy, and I doubt whether I could take on the responsibilities," he said.

Another 18-year-old boy, Xiao Feng, experienced a sad love story from his online marriage.

Xiao Feng met his "wife" while playing a group computer game. As a serious boy, he traveled to another city to see the girl. After the date, they became boyfriend and girlfriend and got married online. "At that moment I took it as real marriage, and was willing to be responsible," he recalled.

Unfortunately their relationship was not approved by the girl's parents. Finally they broke up in real life and divorced online. "I had wasted so much time and money, and above all, I was heart-broken," he said.

56% of the 80 children said they would meet their "partners" in real life, having married them online, even have sex with them.

Wei Xuhong, a doctor at the rehabilitation center, expressed her concern on the negative influence of online marriages. She said that it's lack of real social life that has led to these children's addiction to the online world. And online marriage could mislead them as to the real meaning of marriage.