In this ever-connected online world, people love sharing. That’s why social networks such as Facebook (News - Alert) and photo sharing sites like Instagram have become so popular; people will share everything from their thoughts about important political issues (in spite of the ensuing flame war that always follows) to pictures of their food. So what is the most popular sharing method? Right now it’s photos, but video is set to overtake it.

According to research from PlayScience and Magisto, parents are using video more and more to share their lives with friends and family. A research survey found that 53 percent of parents take videos so that they can share them, while 61 percent do the same with photos. Naturally, there’s plenty of overlap there, as most share both videos and pictures.

The survey has found that parents are using video for everyday life more frequently, rather than just for special occasions. Not only that, but the videos are three times more likely to be shared if they involve their child. According to the survey results, 60 percent of parents film at least three videos each month, with slightly less sharing them as often. Out of those who share videos, over three quarters share them immediately after recording, while over half do so on at least the same day.

Even then, more parents would be more willing to share videos if it was less difficult and took less time. Editing and sharing software tends to make it easier to do so, so those who have it are twice as likely to send and take videos, while a third of parents said they would share more if they had such a program.

Of course, it’s no surprise that video is becoming more commonly used, now that it’s easier to take videos than ever. Most smartphones are capable of taking videos, so all one has to do is point and click to start recording. That’s far easier than the previous requirements, where one would have to take a large camera, load it with a blank tape, and start recording; even then, editing videos was a difficult process that most homes didn’t even consider undertaking.

"People are turning to video increasingly as a mode of personal communication and actively seeking solutions to simplify video production, sharing and viewing," says Magisto’s CMO, Reid Genauer. "With 83 percent of parents looking for a solution to help better produce their videos, it’s clear that people want to tell their stories rather than merely document their lives for posterity. One barrier to realizing video storytelling for the mass market is simply solving the perception that creating quality videos is still difficult for the average person."

In spite of this research, however, it is unlikely that video will replace photos completely. While more and more parents are starting to use video, there’s always a place for photographs as well. The two are both great for sharing memories and capturing moments, so I do not see any reason why video should make photographs phase out, or vice-versa. There are always those who prefer one to another, but both are excellent ways to keep records of life’s moments of awesome, hilarity and joy.