People are turning to social media to stay in touch when away from home.

Some people may like to drop a postcard or send a parcel delivery, but for most people social media is the preferred way to stay in touch with loved ones while away from home.

More than 60 per cent of respondents to a new survey say they use social media to contact family and friends when they are travelling, with more than a third (36 per cent) preferring to go online to making a phone call.

The global social media poll, carried out for the Sheraton Hotels group, also found 39 per cent of people cannot live without their favourite social media sites.

Two-thirds (64 per cent) use social media for their travel plans, with young people in the 25 to 34-year-old bracket more likely to do so (76 per cent).

The survey comes after CBS and USA Today established in a new report into the baby boom generation that older people are becoming ever more enthusiastic about social media.

Posted By Laura Rathbone

Article Added: 18/11/2010 16:09:40