Notably, the media are inclined to make statements which are not based in fact that was confirmed earlier by research. McNeill writes: “Most hikikomori problems develop in the mid-teens, when the pressure from Japan’s exam-driven education system begins to ratchet up”.92 This statement suggests that the highest numbers of socially withdrawn would be among teenagers. However, at least three of the scholarly projects I found point out that the average age of hikikomori is around 22-27 years old. Therefore, McNeill’s statement does not seem to have any academic support.