On social networks, adults umm... socialize

Findings show 35% of adults are on social networks, most on MySpace

My mother and father have yet to be on a social network. But I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they realize the only way they're going to get family photos is electronically, and specifically on some social network.

Apparently, most adults are starting to get with it.

And, guess what? Adults are on "social" networks to... socialize! Who'd thunk?

Yep. Half of adult social network users have a profile on MySpace while less than a quarter of adult social network users are on Facebook, while 6% are on LinkedIn.

So how many are on social networks to begin with?

About a third of adults online are on social networks. That's more than quadrupled in the past four years - from 8% in 2005 to 35% today, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project's December 2008 report, which was just released Wednesday. 

Of course, the adult findings pale in comparison to the 65% of teens who have an online social network profile and 75% of young adults, between 18-years-old and 24-years-old, who are on social networks.

More than half of adults between 25-34 are on social networks; less than a third of adults between 35-44 are on social networks, 19% of adults between 45-54 have a profile; 10% of those 55-64 have a profile, and 7% over 65 years old have a profile.

Validating the theory that social networks are like dating sites, about 49% of adult users are on social networks to meet new people. About 90% use social networks to stay in touch with friends.

Interestingly enough, more than half of users have multiple online profiles. 

About 60% of adults have privacy settings so only their friends can see their activities.

The survey was conducted among 2,253 Americans, including 1,650 Internet users. 

(Image source: Jpprufino.com)