There is not a single individual who can confidently claim that he has never been influenced, in one way or another, by his friends and associates, and in fact, what we are today and where we are standing in life is partly the result of the choices we have made in terms of our friendships. 
And whether this inevitable influence is positive or negative is mainly contingent upon who it is that we choose to associate with. If we desire to make progress in all aspects of our lives, then we must surround ourselves with righteous and successful people [whose friendship will contribute to the quality of our lives] and keep away from the company of wicked people. 
The story of Uqbah is an excellent example of how one’s friend can have a tremendous impact on one's life and fate; he was one of the contemporaries of the prophet who came to believe in the prophet and his message, but then his close friend Ubayy heard about his conversion to Islam and succeeded to change his mind. The following verses, which were revealed about this incident, perfectly depict his state in the Hereafter and the immense regret that will overtake him: 
‘It will be a day when the wrongdoer will bite his hands, saying, ‘I wish I had followed the Apostle’s way! Woe to me! I wish I had not taken so and so as a friend! Certainly, he led me astray from the Reminder after it had come to me.’ The Quran [25:28] 
Parents must also pay extra attention to who their children befriend and spend time with Because young people are going through the most vulnerable stage of their lives and their character and morals are molded more easily. Therefore, being oblivious about the circle of their friends can cause irreparable damage to their personality and consequently their future.