A SURVEY HAS found that many of us check social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter while away on holiday.

A survey of over 200 people, 69 per cent of whom were women aged between 18 and 55, by Hotels.com has revealed that three-quarters of people (75 per cent) spend at least a few minutes per day while away on holidays checking their Facebook and Twitter to find out what’s going on at home.

An overwhelming 99 per cent of the Irish holidaymakers surveyed admit to logging on to one or more social networking sites while on holiday.

Facebook is the most popular choice with nine-out-of-ten people saying they check their Facebook profile while away followed by just over half of people (51 per cent) who admit to tweeting and 7 per cent who say they check their LinkedIn.

Those surveyed said that the main reason for checking their social networking profiles was to keep an eye on what was going on with their friends back home (51 per cent).

Others identify more devious reasons such as 15 per cent of those who say they log on to make family and friends jealous of where they are and 10 per cent who said boredom is a reason for logging on.

Around 53 per cent of holidaymakers said that uploading pictures is their favourite holiday activity followed by updating their status (49 per cent) and checking in (44 per cent) on Facebook.

Other findings from the survey included:

• Sixty-eight per cent of people who said that they don’t mind when those they are on holiday with check their social networking accounts.
• Most use their smartphone (81 per cent) with the hotel room being the most popular place to log on.
• Almost half or around 45 per cent admit to logging on while lounging beside the pool.
• An addicted three per cent admit to checking their status on a ski lift.

Another finding was that just under half of those questioned (48 per cent) said that on an average one week holiday they spend up to an hour of that week on Facebook and Twitter.

Over one in four (28 per cent) say the spend up to two hours on social networking.

Poll: Do you use social networking websites like Twitter or Facebook while on holiday?

Read: 11 jokey holiday snaps every tourist takes at major monuments

Open thread: What are your top tips for entertaining kids on school holidays?

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