Virtual* marriages have become popular among young children in Shenzhen, with many “marrying” several times and even “giving birth” to virtual babies online, a survey* by the Shenzhen Evening News reported last month.

The survey by the newspaper of 49 students of a primary school in Luohu District showed that 24 percent of them had had virtual “marriages,” and 14 percent had even “married” twice.

Parents and educators worry that the virtual marriages will make children misunderstand* the reality of marriage.

Qi Qi, a fourth-grader at a primary school in Futian District, has married three times and divorced once online, in a popular computer game Fantasy Westward Journey.

The game, developed by Internet service provider Netease, awards players extra credits* for marriages. About 37 percent of the students polled* by the newspaper said they had virtual marriages to “increase their credits in the game,” and 28 percent of them said they did it for fun.

Qi Qi has two accounts*, one female and one male. He is the “husband” of two players who claim to be female, and the “wife” of a player who claims to be male.

Qi Qi knows one of his virtual wives — Ya Ya, one of his classmates. “I sent her virtual roses, and she gave me wine and chocolate,” said Qi Qi, who also has two virtual “babies” with Ya Ya.

When he grows up, will he marry and divorce so frequently? Qi Qi said he would not let his virtual marriages interfere with* his real life.

“I clearly know the differences between the virtual and the real world,” he said confidently.

Wang Qiuying, director of the student consultancy* center of Shenzhen Middle School, said the children enjoy virtual love because they often feel lonely.

“They have few peers* to play with, and they don’t have brothers or sisters. So they turn to the virtual world for fun and comfort,” said Wang.

(SD-Agencies)