Social networking sites are becoming a numbers game as people accept total strangers as their friends just to appear popular.

According to a study from Moneysupermarket, even though people are wary about social networking websites, seven per cent of people admit to having no “proper” friends on their friends list.

Over half (51 per cent) confessed that up to three in 10 of their listed ‘friends’ are not real friends at all.

Rob Barnes, head of broadband and mobiles at moneysupermarket.com, said: “It’s evident people use social networking sites as a way of increasing their social status. Regardless of whether they’re real or not; people want to be seen with as many friends as possible."

But he said it was “shocking” to see so many people being so trusting in an age where online fraud is increasing.

The online study of 2,194 adults taken between 26 and 28 November 2007 found a massive eight in 10 (84 per cent) people would even allow an ex-partner as their friend, with nine per cent admitting they do this so they can see what their exes are up to.

Although four in 10 (45 per cent) people still use these sites to let their friends know what they’re doing, the genre is increasingly being used to find new friends or even romance, according to Barnes. One in five (19 per cent) look for like-minded people, something which is important to the over 45s, with over half (53 per cent) doing this.

“Sites such as Facebook and Myspace can be a great way to keep in touch with people, and even to make new friends,” he said.