On November 2, Shanghai-based Jiefang Daily published a report on how ghost stories, particularly online ghost stories, are spooking China's youth.

Gu Danhong, an employee with Hotline 12355, a help service set up primarily for teenagers in Shanghai, told Jiefang Daily that in the last two months alone, about six young people had called the hotline for help. All had called to say that they were spooked by ghost stories. The callers included students from primary and middle schools and college students.

College student Xiao Zhu told Jiefang Daily that after she and her roommates have been so spooked by the numerous "Gui Gu Shi" they've heard that none of them dares to venture out at night without a companion.

According to the report, most of the ghost stories complained about can be found on the Internet. About 80 percent of these are about feudal superstition. For example, they could be about finding out one's lot through divination or fortune-telling. In Chinese, these stories are also known as "Qing Xian".

A search for "Qing Xian" (using Chinese characters) on www.google.com would bring up more than 14,400 results. For "Gui Gu Shi", which is "ghost story" in Chinese, it's a dizzying array of more than 897,000 results.

The Internet Information Service Management Regulations were promulgated by the State Council on October 1, 2000.

Its Article 15 provides that an Internet service provider shall not produce, reproduce, release, or disseminate information that preaches superstitious beliefs or promotes violence and terrorism.

However, what constitutes such content is not defined.

Beijing psychologist Zhou Xiyin said that addicts of "Gui Gu Shi" share a common characteristic: "The more horrible and horrendous stories are, the more people want to listen."

He added: "Everyone is curious, especially about the unknown.

"Young people are probably the most curious, which is why they are attracted to 'Gui Gu Shi'."

According to the report, some educators pointed out the reason why young people are so interested in "Gui Gu Shi" is that they lack a sense of security or they have difficulties adjusted to a new environment. Turning their attention away from "Gui Gu Shi" through communication could help. Schools could also play a part through enhanced education in the sciences and debunking the myths propagated by feudal superstition.

(China.org.cn by Wang Ke, November 4, 2005)