It might not be too long before that regular get together with friends over a cup of coffee doesn't actually include getting together.

The Ipsos Open Thinking Exchange has released the results of its latest study into the trends and behaviours of people's use of social media.

Photo: Grant Scott

The number of people who prefer to interact with social media instead of in person is growing.

Their results show that when it comes to socializing, more and more people are not connecting in person any more.

As well, the younger you are, the more likely you are to prefer socializing online.

The results show just 15 percent of Baby Boomers (those between 46 and 64), and 19 percent of Gen X'ers (32-45), say online trumps in-person socialization.

But for those 31 and under (Gen Y), the youngest and most tech-savvy age group, almost one out of four (24 percent) claim they socialize more online than off.

Survey respondents pointed to the fact that online you can interact with dozens of your friends and families all at once.

Seeing each of them personally would take either a party, a plan, or a large trip.

Ipsos also says their survey shows that the trend will only continue to grow in the future, and among all age groups.

Aging Boomers are expected to rely on the internet more as the years go by and moving around gets tougher.

Add to that the fact that Gen X and Gen Y are unlikely to slow down any time soon and the generation behind them, Gen Z, are just about hardwired to the Internet and it is unlikely the amount of time people spend online in a social capacity is headed for a dip.