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A man whose Facebook friends list mushroomed to 641 entries has told how he conducted a huge cull to reclaim his life from "FaceSpooks".
Radio DJ Justin Moorhouse is an extreme victim of a new internet phenomenon that is being branded "FaceSpooking".
FaceSpooking happens when users of the social networking site are swamped with friendship offers and accept acquaintances or even strangers in a bid to appear popular.
According to internet pundits adding so-called "FaceSpook" friends is encouraging an unhealthy competitiveness around friendship.
Youngsters in particular are susceptible to accept people's online profile to look more popular in front of their mates.
But experts believe people feel obligated to accept all requests that are offered to raise the amount of friends they have on their lists.
Psychologist Graham Jones, has studied online behaviour and the new phenomenon of FaceSpooking.
He said: "People are tempted to add as many people as they can because your friend icons are visible.
"The more people you have on your list the more popular you may seem.
"Its not uncommon these days to find people with hundreds even thousands of a network of friends.
"Users will add people they have met probably once or twice in the real world and probably never speak to them again.
"There can be dangers, like with the physical world you are giving out very personal information to people you probably wouldn't spend more than an evening with.
"People often feel under pressure to add anyone they can because they want to feel popular and accepted.
"It can also cause feelings of jealousy when one of your friends gets new clothes, or a new i-pod or a new car and displays it on their profile
"People can get it can competitive and there are tendencies to out do each other.
"Its generally younger users that want to build up as many contacts as possible and that really is a popularity contest.
"Youngsters feel the pressure more and will add trophy friends so they don't seem unpopular.
"If a request is rejected it can also cause the youngsters stress and feelings of anxiety, because they feel like they have been snubbed."
Radio presenter Justin Moorhouse realised that he was a victim of FaceSpooking and conducted a radical cull of his friends by conducting an online survey.
Justin who is a presenter on Manchester station Key 103 has also been a regular on the North West comedy circuit for years.
He is best known for his role as Young Kenny in comedy show Phoenix Nights.
Justin decided he no long wanted the friendship of 600-plus acquiantances and decided to find his genuine pals.
After compiling a list of personal questions about himself, Justin managed to whittle-down the 641 acquaintances into five genuine mates.
Justin explained: "I was on Facebook and realised I had 641 friends. But they're not really my friends like I'd have them round for a cup of tea.
"That would be a nightmare. I've not enough cups for a start.
"So I did this survey, like an experiment, to reclaim my real life.
"I sent everyone a message saying they had one month to fill it in.
"It was a series of questions about our friendship, things we like to do.
"On that basis, I found five friends who are true, genuine friends."
