By Becky Dixon
Staff Writer
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ver the past decades, social networks have become a large part of every teenager’s life. Myspace started the social network craze in 2003. Next, Facebook revolutionized the social media world.
Since the foundation of Facebook, there have been many social networks. From Twitter and Instagram to Vine and there is always something new. As new social sites are released, some students think Facebook is sinking to the bottom.
“I use Facebook sometimes to see what everyone is up to,” junior Makenna Brenner said. “I have family from other states and it is easier to keep in touch (with them) when their pictures are uploaded (on Facebook).”
Instagram, the photo sharing site that earned 30 million users in the 18 months before Facebook bought out the business a year ago, surged in popularity with younger age groups, according to Yahoo.com. It started out as an app, but can now be accessed on the Internet.
“Everyone goes toward newer things, and because Instagram came after Facebook, teens lean towards Instagram,” sophomore Julius Marinak said.
According to StarTribune.com, students have Facebook pages, but only check them a few times a week. Still, teens online social lives are bustling on Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter.
Twitter only allows 140 characters at a time to be uploaded as “statuses” but also allows picture uploads.
“I don’t like Facebook because it got old and there are better social networks now that are newer,” sophomore Wade Cobb said, “And Twitter has more drama.”
Snapchat, an app that allows people to send pictures, videos, and text to each other, has flourished among teenagers.
“You can snap anyone on snapchat so it never gets boring,” junior Alissa Pawid said, “It is different from Instagram because it is only between a couple people.”
Instagram allows users to upload pictures and videos, choose a filter that alters the color of the picture, and share followers.
“Instagram is more appealing to me because pictures interest me more than words,” senior Stacey Walton said. “I only like to get on Facebook to look at everyone’s pictures.”
Facebook is mostly statuses, but pictures can also be uploaded. Whether Facebook makes pictures more prominent or stays the same is up for the new generation to decide.
“I think when they (Facebook) make changes it is a necessity, but it is irritating for the customers until they get use to it just like anything else,” English teacher Hunter Will said, “ But I do not get on it enough to care.”
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