I have to have it now!

You stare with envy at your classmate's brand new T-shirt or gadget. 'Neat! Where did you buy it?' 'Wow, it's cool!' Your mind is made up - you must have one!

People working in marketing departments have understood something for a long time; word of mouth is the best way to promote and sell an item, whether it is a book, clothes, a film or a hi-tech gadget.

Why? Because you don't only buy the product, you also buy the image which goes with it.

Buying an item means you can use it but, more importantly to some people, you can show it off to your friends.

Sometimes, you might think you need to have the same things as your friends and if you don't they will treat you like an outsider. This is how fashion thrives.

You don't buy a new pair of jeans because you need them, but because you have seen other people wearing them. If your friends are wearing them you'll feel even more compelled to buy them.

This does not only apply to what you wear and the way you look. Peer pressure can also apply to mobile phones, games and even food and leisure.

If your friends like going to a coffee place after school, you might be afraid of losing their friendship if you don't go - even if you don't feel like it or can't afford it?

Is peer pressure really the price of friendship?