Facebook "linked to increase in syphilis cases" in UK

Health experts found the disase had increased fourfold in Sunderland, Durham and Teesside, the areas of Britain where Facebook is most popular.

Professor Peter Kelly, director of public health in Teesside, said experts had discovered a connection between social networking sites and the rise in syphilis cases, especially among young women.

He said: "There has been a fourfold increase in the number of syphilis cases detected with more young women being affected.

"I don't get the names of people affected, just figures, and I saw that several of the people had met sexual partners through these sites.

"Social networking sites are making it easier for people to meet up for casual sex," Prof Kelly said.