We’ve got some new stats thanks to a new survey out by Edison Research onFrequent Social Networkers. Americans are becoming more and more comfortable with using social media. Not only are more people using social networking sites (48% of people have a profile today compared to 24% in 2008 and 34% in 2009), but they are more likely to update frequently than they were a year ago. 30% of social networking users update several times a day and the number of people who do has more than doubled over the last year from 18 million to 39 million.

Women are more likely to use social media more often than men – 57% of people who update several times a day are women. This is, likely, not due to the stay at home mom factor as only 6% of frequent social networkers are “homemakers” compared to 8% of the general population.

Social networkers spend more time online and watch less tv than the general population. In fact, they spend almost twice as much time online (3:52/day compared to 1:56/day) and about a half an hour less in front of the tv (2:50/day compared to 3:25).

Social networkers are significantly more likely to use a DVR or Tivo. Especially a DVR. 47% of frequent social networkers have a DVR while only 36% of the total population does. Social networkers are also more likely to:

• Watch TV on DVD
• Watch TV online
• Purchase TV shows online
• Order TV shows on-demand

Social Networkers are also more likely to listen to online radio & podcasts and to buy music online.

None of this is a huge surprise to me. People who embrace social networking are more likely to embrace other online activities. It speaks to a comfort level and/or a reliance upon online activities. But, from a transmedia perspective, it is interesting. As people become more accustomed to various online media activities, they are more likely to use them. And, despite my earlier words of warning against relying upon twitter, if you are creating a transmedia property, especially one that uses online video or other technologies, utilizing social networks will help to target an audience more likely to engage with other aspects of your experience.

You can download all of their slides with a variety of stats and 30 different charts by registering for their mailing list.