Social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace are having a detrimental effect on users' health by limiting their 'real' contact with people.
A new study claims that far from their mandate of bringing people together, the sites are keeping people apart.
Writing in the Biologist, the journal of the Institute of Biology, Dr Aric Sigman said a lack of face-to-face contact could upset users' immune responses, hormone levels, artery function and mental performance.
"Social networking is the internet's biggest growth area, particularly among young children," he told the Press Association news agency
"Social networking sites should allow us to embellish our social lives, but what we find is very different. The tail is wagging the dog. These are not tools that enhance, they are tools that displace."
Dr Sigman explained that the consequences of excessive Facebook use could include increased susceptibility to cancer, stroke, heart disease and dementia.
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