A Macmillan Cancer Support survey has found that Scottish youth aged between 18 and 35 who boast of an endless friend list at social networking sites have just one friend to turn at when they are diagnosed with some serious problem.

In order to reach at above conclusion, the survey people questioned 1,000 people and found that an average young Scottish person has 255 friends. But only when it comes to seek help for some serious problem like cancer, they turn to only one friend.

The study also revealed that the mother is the first person with whom they speak at the time of crisis and generally also the Scots find solace after talking to their mothers. The study was done during the Cancer Talk Week and it got found that young people face a lot many problems and do not get enough support at the time of need.

Elspeth Atkinson from the Macmillan Cancer Support for Scotland and Northern Ireland said, "It is surprising and concerning that people confide in such a small number of friends and family - and more so that others may not confide in anyone”.

Atkinson affirmed that the popularity of social networking site and its main motive to connect people seems to have flopped. Despite having huge number of friends, people face loneliness when they are not able to find support.

This happens at the time when one does not think that he would be able to get right advice from others, said Atkinsons. It amazes him by thinking that at the end people turn to their tried and tested friends and family. So what is the use of having so many friends on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites when they cannot be trusted at the time most needed time?