You log onto your computer set to accomplish that long list of to-do’s before midterms, but instead of D2L, you subconsciously open Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

According to PEW Reserch Center you are not alone: the number of users on social networking websites has nearly doubled since 2008. While many Americans are using social media, they tend to stick with one, but which one should you choose?

Media Bistro, a marketing and monetization company, states the United States leads the world with 107.7 million Twitter users. Over 175 million tweets are sent out every day, but just who uses Twitter?

“It seems like someone was looking for the next cool thing,” said Mary Chianakas, junior in the College of Business. “More of my friends use it. Twitter seemed ‘loud’ to me with people posting stupid stuff really frequently.”

According to Chirp, a Twitter developer conference, new users to Twitter are signing up at a rate of 300,000 per day, 37 percent of which use their phone to tweet.

“I think twitter may actually be more personal because it connects you directly to that person, given for all the world to see,” said Matt McGonegle, senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. “But it is less likely to get lost like a letter, email, or even something on their Facebook.”

According to PEW, Twitter users have an average network size of 838, while Facebook has 648.

“Perhaps Twitter is more practical because it is quick and dirty,” said Chianakas. “You’re only getting glimpses of the person’s personality from each tweet or retweet.”

However, for many students, Facebook has a more personal, simplistic layout that allows for easy communication with their peers. According to PEW, as of June 2011, 92 percent of users are on Facebook, while only 13 percent use Twitter.

“Facebook is so crystal clear,” said Chelsea Williams, junior in the College of Education. “It’s so much easier to connect with friends.”

PEW sites that on a daily basis 26 percent like other users content, 22 percent comment on another’s post or status, 20 percent comment on photos and only 15 percent update their own status.

“Facebook may be more personal, because in addition to thoughts via status posts, you also get to see photos, notes, and group’s they’ve liked,” said Chianakas. “I like being able to keep track of people from high school and other places.”

So what is the future for social media? According to PEW 33 percent of Facebook users have been members for over two years, while 36% have been Twitter users for between 6 months and a year.

“I feel like Facebook will be around longer,” said Williams. “But it’s going to get to a point where social media is overrated.”

Will Twitter continue with their boost of new users? Will Facebook’s numbers eventually plateau? The expansion of social media options only continues and we will never know what will be the next big thing.