European teens unfriending Facebook

Facebook is losing its appeal to teenagers.

This is happening as more and more parents start using it to keep tabs on them, researchers have discovered, UK's Daily Mail reported on Friday.

The researchers said youngsters now consider the social networking site "dead and buried" and are too embarrassed to post intimate details in case their parents find out, the report said.

The research, which covered eight European countries including the UK, found many young Facebook users were switching to alternatives such as Snapchat and WhatsApp.

Professor Daniel Miller of University College London, who worked on the Global Social Media Impact Study, said British youngsters were "embarrassed even to be associated with it", the report added.

He said: "Young people are turning away in droves and adopting other social networks instead, while the worst people of all, their parents, continue to use the service."

Professor Miller said teenagers now regarded Facebook as "so uncool", adding: "You can't be young and free if you know your parents can access your every indiscretion.

"Where once parents worried about their children joining Facebook, the children now say it is their family that insists they stay there to post about their lives.

"Parents have worked out how to use the site and they see it as a way for the family to remain connected.

"What appears to be the most seminal moment in a young person's decision to leave Facebook was surely that dreaded day that your mum sends you a friend request.

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