The number of alleged crimes involving Facebook and Twitter has increased nearly eight-fold in four years, according to police figures.
There were 653 people charged in 2012 out of 4,908 offences reported to 29 forces in England, Scotland and Wales.
Police chiefs said the figures demonstrate a new challenge.
Last week, interim guidelines were issued, aimed at reducing the number of charges in England and Wales, after a string of controversial court cases.
The conviction of Paul Chambers in 2010 for joking on Twitter about blowing up Robin Hood Airport in South Yorkshire was widely condemned and eventually quashed.
The latest statistics were released by the police under the Freedom of Information Act.
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The guidance means some people could avoid trial if they are sorry for criminal comments posted while drunk”
Dominic Casciani
Home affairs correspondent
Fewer Twitter prosecutions likely
In 2008, when the level of social network activity was much lower, there were 556 reports of alleged crimes with 46 people charged.
By this year that figure had risen to 4,908 allegations and 653 charged.
Chief Constable Andy Trotter of the Association of Chief Police Officers said it was important that police prioritised social networking crimes which caused genuine harm.
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