Young women are becoming more and more dependent on social media and checking on their social networks, according to a new study released earlier today by Oxygen Media and Lightspeed Research. In fact, as many as one-third of women aged 18-34 check Facebook when they first wake up, even before they get to the bathroom.

The study sampled the habits of 1,605 adults using social media between May and June of this year in an attempt to break down their social media habits. While some of the results are in line with previous studies we've read, others simply shocked us (e.g. 42% of young women think posting photos of themselves "visibly intoxicated" is okay).

Here's a short rundown of how young women are utilizing Facebook and social media in general:

Are Young Women Addicted to Facebook?

While the study covers all of social media, it's clear that women in the 18-34 range are focused on their Facebook accounts. More than half of young women (57%) say they talk to people online more than face-to-face. A full 39% of them proclaim themselves Facebook addicts, while 34% of young women make Facebook the first thing they do when they wake up, even before brushing their teeth or going to the bathroom.

Here are some other interesting stats regarding young women and Facebook:

21% of women age 18-34 check Facebook in the middle of the night

63% use Facebook as a networking tool

42% think it's okay to post photos of themselves intoxicated

79% are fine with kissing in photos

58% use Facebook to keep tabs on "frenemies"

50% are fine with being Facebook friends with complete strangers

What conclusions can we draw from this data? It's not just that young women are using Facebook religiously: it's that they're very open with what they post and who they accept as friends. Combined, it can lead to a privacy mess.

Social Media's Role in Dating

We already knew that Facebook has radically changed dating, and Oxygen Media's stats only back up that assertion. 50% of women believe that it's just fine to date people they've met on Facebook, compared to 65% of men. 6% of women use it to "hook up" (20% of men do the same).

It gets murkier for relationships. 49% of women believe it's fine to keep tabs on a boyfriend by having access to his accounts (42% of men think the same way). 9% of women have broken up their relationships via Facebook, as compared to a full 24% of men.

Luckily, most women don't believe that breaking up via Facebook is okay: 91% to be exact. I don't want to meet the 9% who think it's just fine.

Women and Privacy

The Oxygen Media/Lightspeed Research survey is filled with a lot of other interesting data points, but it all circles back to the privacy issue. 54% of 18-24 year old women do not trust Facebook with their private information, and 89% agree that "you should never put anything on Facebook that you don't want your parents to see." That seems contradictory to the 42% that think it's fine to post pictures of themselves drunk.

Our habits are changing due to social media technology, particularly Facebook. It's not just a connection tool for many women, but a research tool, a dating network, and a way to keep tabs on both boyfriends and enemies.

What do you think of these stats? Do any of them surprise you? Let us know what you think in the comments.