Social media 'more widely used than phone'

By Craig Coulson (Wed, 24th March 2010)

Social networking is here and it would appear it's here to stay.

That's because an expert from Dansway Communications and Online Social Media has declared it an essential utility in the lives of Brits and one that is more readily used than the telephone.

It was recently revealed by InSites Consulting that 72 per cent of all internet users - that's 940 million people around the world - are signed up to at least one social network.

Facebook currently leads the way in terms of popularity with 51 per cent of users logging on, while Myspace has 20 per cent of browsers and 17 per cent of web surfers are on Twitter.

In addition, another study that lends weight to this suggestion - this time published by Retrevo - showed that close to 50 per cent of younger social media users check or update their account in bed, throughout the night or first thing in the morning.

So, it looks like Daniel Chubb, chief executive officer at Dansway Communications and Online Social Media, may just be right.

He commented: "Users right now use Facebook and Twitter more times a day than they do the telephone. It is not like this for everyone, but the younger generation certainly cannot live without social media and using Facebook to chat to friends and game together."

He added: "Facebook overshadows all, but niche social media sites are more popular with many users with specific interests."

Could you live without social networking websites?

http://www.broadband-finder.co.uk/news/broadband/social-media-more-widely-used-than-phone_19686476.html