A new study by the Pew Research Center reveals that older users are increasingly signing up on social media sites. Those who thought social media was no more than a passing fad should disabuse themselves of the notion.

Social media use has almost doubled among those 50 and older, soaring from 22% to 42% between April 2009 and May 2010. While younger users are still more numerous, growth among older ones is faster. The presence on such sites of 18 to 29 year olds only climbed 13% in that period (rising from 75% to 86%).

Daily social media usage among 50 to 64 year olds doubled, leaping from 10% to 20%. Such progress is even greater among those older than 65, rocketing 225% (from 4% to 13%).

All statistics are American and taken from the study Older Adults and Social Media, published by Pew Internet & American Life Project.