Most people don’t know what ‘Social Networking’ is. Those who do, are losing interest.

The following is a press release from synovate, a global polling company.

Across 17 markets of the world, well over half the population (58%) do not know what social networking is, according to a study released today by leading global market intelligence firm, Synovate.

Global head of media research for Synovate, Steve Garton, said the survey was conducted to explore some of the myths and facts that have built up around the online social networking phenomena.

“It seems everyone is social networking. Or are they?

“We spoke with over 13,000 respondents aged 18-65 years in 17 markets around the world to find out who’s connected and who’s not, as well as attitudes and online behaviours. Some of what we found surprised us… like more than a third of social networkers say they are losing interest in social media. And how many people do not even know what it is.”

Garton explained: “When you’re in the world of marketing — reading about it, planning campaigns, researching people — it’s sometimes easy to overlook the basics. So we started our study by simply asking ‘do you know what online social networking is?’.

“And that’s where our first myth was debunked. It turns out social networking is not taking over the world. Well, not yet anyway.”

Across the 17 markets surveyed, 42% of people know what online social networking is, which leaves 58% in the dark… either saying ‘no’ or ‘don’t know’…continue reading on synovate >>

(Hat-Tip, Mashable and eMarketer)