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People using mobile social networks today are primarily checking messages, status updates and comments of friends instead of posting photos or comments themselves, according to a new study by ABI Research.

The study found that pattern is changing as more people have access to better mobile devices and social network applications that make it easier for uploading and communication.

"Today more than 60% of those who access a social network on their phone do so mainly to check for messages or comments from friends, compared to less than 30% who upload photos," says ABI research director Michael Wolf.

"Over time, however, a growing number of consumers will share photos and use social network messaging and email which will translate to longer and more frequent usage of social networks on mobile."

Currently more than half of those who use a social network on their PC do so on a daily basis, while only around 17 percent do the same via a mobile device. The gap in usage between online and mobile social networks will become smaller over time as people adapt to using their mobile phone as one of the main ways of keeping in touch with their networks of contacts.

"The fact is that more consumers are really starting to adopt social networking on their phones," said Wolf.

"The combination of more capable phones with flat-rate mobile broadband and pre-installed social network applications will help cement social networks as hubs for entertainment and communication, regardless of the screen consumers use to access them."