A lot of us use social networking sites like Facebook to merely stray in touch with friends and family. However, a recent study has found that a lot of homeless adolescents in the US are using the website as a tool to seek sex. The finding means that the youngsters are putting themselves at an increased risk of ending up with STDs.

The research was carried out by a team of scientist from the University of California and was led by Assistant Professor Dr. Eric Rice. Talking about the study, Dr. Rice has said that an increased usage of such social networking sites is leading to the youth being at an increased risk of being infected with sexually transmitted diseases.

Though, it needs to be reminded that prior studies have found that teenager these days have been sufficiently educated about sexually transmitted diseases and their effects and the dreaded HIV/AIDS virus as well.

Findings of the report were possible with the combined efforts of Dr. Rice and Sean Young in ordered to have a detailed insight into the use of social networking websites by adolescent homeless teenagers. The study involved an evaluation of their sexual behaviors as well, and about their education on HIV/AIDS and STDs.

In the study, 200 members of Facebook were interviewed, in which it was found that the most common discussion were related to being homeless, drinking, drugs, love and sex.