On average, people who use online social networks, such as Facebook, Bebo or MySpace, consume larger amounts of digital content than those who are not social networkers, according to two recent ABI Research surveys, MarketWatch reported Wednesday.

People who access social networks regularly are also heavier consumers of text messages, photos, music, games, mobile TV and mobile e-mail, the research states.

The study was done in the United States in November 2007, and surveyed more than 1,000 mobile subscribers and 500 online social network mobile subscribers.

Although it's not surprising that online social networkers use more mobile content and media, “what we have long suspected is now confirmed by the numbers: for most kinds of mobile content, online social networkers consume about twice as much as their non-networked peers,” said Nick Holland, the study's principal analyst, MarketWatch reported.

Online social networkers consume more mobile media due to the fact that they are usually younger and more tech-savvy, and could also be due to the fact that some networks are based on specific media-related interests, according to MarketWatch.

To download the study, after free registration, click here.