Conducted by researchers in California, the study compared the health records and longevity of 12 million Facebook users with nonusers.

Perhaps surprisingly, the findings suggest that with moderate use, social networks can connect people in similar ways to the old fashioned form of socialising, and bring about some of the same benefits.

It’s well documented that a bigger social support network is linked with better health and longevity, perhaps, say researchers, because the more we socialise the more we likely we are to engage in healthy behaviours such as physical activity and mental or emotional unburdening (talking through our issues etc).

Facebook could help us live longer, according to a new study