One might think that a person who spends a lot of time on Social Media sites doesn’t have a life or any meaningful relationships outside the walls of their home. But a new study done by Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, shows that’s not the case. Those quite active in social media tend to be more connected in real life.

Here are the nuts and bolts of the study.

The study found that around 59% of internet users are also active on Social Networks, most of which are on Facebook.  That number is up 34% from last year. About half of the Facebook users log on daily and have more close relationships with people in real life, than non-Facebook users.

Here are a few more interesting findings from the study:

• Facebook users are more trusting than others
• Facebook users get more social support than other people
• Facebook users are much more politically engaged than most people
• Facebook revives “dormant” relationships
• Social networking sites are increasingly used to keep up with close social ties

What do you think? Have your relationships and social life benefited from your Facebook use?