WASHINGTON — Half of US adults are using social networks such as Facebook, Myspace or LinkedIn, according to a survey published Friday.

The survey by the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project found that 65 percent of adult Internet users in the United States use social networks.

That translates into 50 percent of the entire US adult population, Pew said.

Just eight percent of Internet users used social networks in 2005, according to the Washington-based Pew.

"Social networking sites continue to cement their place as a significant part of mainstream online life," said Kathryn Zickuhr, a co-author of the report.

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Pew said social network use is most prevalent among the young but 33 percent of adult Internet users aged 65 and older now use the sites, up from 26 percent a year ago.

"The graying of social networking sites continues, but the oldest users are still far less likely to be making regular use of these tools," said Mary Madden, a co-author of the report.

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