Study: Half of adults use social-networking sites

Half of all adults use social-networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace, according to a Pew Center study released Friday.

It was the highest rate Pew has recorded in its six years studying social-media use. The report found 65 percent of people who use the Internet are on social-networking sites. 

The growth was primarily among users ages 50-64. According to the study, 32 percent of "Boomer-aged" Internet users log in to social-networking sites on a typical day, compared with only 20 percent one year ago. 

Usage among adult Internet users under the age of 30 remained stable since Pew last conducted the study, with 61 percent saying they use social networking.

“The graying of social networking sites continues, but the oldest users are still far less likely to be making regular use of these tools,” said Mary Madden, co-author of the report. “While seniors are testing the waters, many Baby Boomers are beginning to make a trip to the social media pool part of their daily routine.” 

When Pew first began the survey in 2005, only 5 percent of adults were using social-networking sites.

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