Half of Internet users want a social media 'vacation'

More than 50 per cent of Internet users, suffering from social media overload, have either taken or have considered taking a "vacation" from social networking, a new US study has found.

Irrelevant updates and a lack of time are the top reasons people desire a break from Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social network, researchers found.

The study by the online organisation hub MyLife.com reveals that online users are becoming overwhelmed by the increasing number of social networks and email accounts they manage.

The survey of more than 2,000 adults ages 18 and older found more than 40 per cent of adult Internet users manage multiple social networking profiles, and more than half belong to more social networks or visit their networks more frequently than they did two years ago, 'BusinessNewsDaily' reported.

Additionally, the average adult manages 3.1 email addresses, up from 2.6 a year ago.

Overall, 35 per cent of those surveyed spend more than 31 minutes a day visiting social networking sites, and reading and responding to personal emails.

Nearly 60 per cent of those surveyed experience anxiety as a result of missing an important event or status update if they don't monitor their social networks, and more than half report a fear of missing out, the study found.