When it comes to social media, Aussies beat everything in topping the virtual world, a research has said.

Study by Nielsen indicated Australians were the planet's most productive users of social networking sites, placing, poking and Twittering about seven hours each month.

Around 9.9 people out of Australia's 22 million population were said to be making use of the well-known social websites.

Communications lecturer Mike Minehan stated, "Distance is a tyranny in this country. There''s a subconscious drive in Australia to step outside this isolation we find ourselves in. I think that's what's driving it here, the desire to be part of the world and not to be an insignificant island nation in the southern hemisphere.''''

"I think that the social networking sites and the high use of them represent Gen Y''s search for more meaningful connectivity and identity other than the old cliches of the blond surf lifesaver, the Opera House and Aboriginal identity," he added. (With Input from Agencies)