Aussies are world's most prolific Twitter, Facebook users

Melbourne, February 26 (ANI): When it comes to social networking, Australians take the cake in leading the virtual world, a study has found.

Research by Nielsen showed Australians were the "world's most prolific users of social media", posting, poking and Twittering nearly seven hours a month.

An estimated 9.9 million of Australia's 22 million population were said to be using the popular social sites, News.com.au reported.

Communications lecturer Mike Minehan explained: "Distance is a tyranny in this country. There's a subconscious drive in Australia to step outside this isolation we find ourselves in. I think that's what's driving it here, the desire to be part of the world and not to be an insignificant island nation in the southern hemisphere."

He added: "I think that the social networking sites and the high use of them represent Gen Y's search for more meaningful connectivity and identity other than the old cliches of the blond surf lifesaver, the Opera House and Aboriginal identity." (ANI)