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U.S. Internet users between the ages of 12-17 who visit both MySpace and Facebook spend more time at each site than those who visit just one or the other according to Nielsen//NetRatings.

MySpace And Facebook Visitors Drive Time Spent

In August, teens who visited both sites spent on average 20 percent more time on MySpace than those who just visited a single site. Facebook saw an even greater benefit in time spent from dual visitors, who spent an average 26 percent longer at the site than exclusive Facebook visitors.

"Teens who enjoy social media are intensive users and highly engaged. They are venturing onto multiple networks to experience new features and broaden their connections," said Jason Lee, media analyst, Nielsen//NetRatings.

"This demographic is typically drawn to what's new, and since they are growing up online, they are not afraid of learning the latest Web technologies."

Since Facebook opened registration to the public last year, the site has seen triple digit traffic growth, increasing 117 percent from 8.9 million unique visitors in August 2006 to 19.2 million unique visitors in August 2007. The growth rate for visitors 12-17 has been even higher, increasing 122 percent year over year. The majority of these new Facebook visitors are not new to social networking says Nielsen, more than 80 percent of Facebook visitors in August also went to MySpace.

"MySpace introduced a lot of people, especially young people, to social networking, and that forum continues to be overwhelmingly popular," said Lee.

"But Facebook's innovative features, many born out of partnerships with third party developers, are driving user growth. Teens continue to interact with friends on MySpace, but have not hesitated to follow their peers to the latest social networking brand. At this point, each site has a unique offering, and teens are happily visiting both."