According to Etisalat officials, more than a quarter of the population in the UAE is using the Internet out of which 44 per cent are families. Each member of the family is using the Internet at least for four hours. A majority of the youth have become addicted to it. Critics call it the Internet addiction, and say that it is highly dangerous.

In the UAE, people from different walks of life are concerned over the issue and say that the problem needs to be addressed on a war footing.

Qasim Abdul Hameed, a banker, said the media in the UAE should discuss the problem more often. “I taught my children the difference between moral and immoral behaviour, but I failed to protect them from the Internet. Even when I disconnect the service from the home, they go to Internet cafes and spend time and money,” he said.

He said that the use of the Internet has entailed an additional financial burden apart from inducing negative behaviour in children.

"According to a recent study by the Florida University in the US, the brains of the people who use the Internet for more 30 hours in the week can be affected, while users also suffer from lack of sleep and are delayed in performing everyday chores," he said.

Hashim Hassan, a father, said that he had a hard time with his elder son who used the Internet after he returned from the school. “He does not do his homework or study. Even the school officials have called me many times because he is late and does not concentrate on studies,” he said.

Hassan also said that his child was facing problems at home and with the family members. “I noted that my son had become isolated and did not sit with the family or eat properly. He closed his room and spent most of the time on the Internet. I felt that the Internet would destroy the future of my son and so I prevented him from using the computer more than two hours. Now he will use it for getting information only and under my supervision," he added.

Hala Hessian, an engineer, said that unfortunately, cyber sex had made matters worse.

“Cybersex in online chat rooms is a disease,” she said, adding: "My divorce recently was due to the Internet. My husband had become addicted to the Internet and used to spend the whole night in chat rooms. Suddenly, I found that he was receiving sexual solicitations over the net and on several occasions, he asked women to meet him. He also called and sent them regular mail, money or gifts. Some times, I found pictures of naked women on the computer, so I filed for divorce in Dubai Court and they ordered him to divorce me. This was considered as new type of marital infidelity."

Rashid Amiri, a government employee, said that he had the Internet disconnected after a big fight with his wife. “I found her chatting with a man. Our marriage is on the verge of breaking up. After her family's interference, Amiri said that she had never met the man but because she was bored and wanted to pass time, she had started chatting with him,” explained Amiri.

Mohamed Salem said that one of his friends had formed a relation with a girl who belonged to a well-known family.

“After he told her that he loved her and even promised to marry her, the girl sent him her photos. But he has misused them and posted her photos on the web site and sent it to his friend’s mobile. From that day, I disconnected the Internet and don’t allow my sisters to use it although they can benefit from the information,” said Salem.