MySpace Becoming Teen Juggernaut

Posted on October 11, 2005

An article on WebProNews says that the News Corp. owned MySpace.com has 32 million members with 130,000 new ones each day or 3 million new members each month. Most of these members are 21 or younger. The article says the site has become an online hangout for teens.

MySpace.com has replaced the shopping mall, the CD store, the local Subway, as a hangout. The current generation of young people are turning to computer screens, cell phones, instant messaging, and online social networking for support and sharing common interests. In fact, it is reflective of a culture that doesn't trust big media, big business, or authority. The youngsters throwing themselves into this online culture, simply put, trust each other.

Some other highlights from the article:

A Nine Inch Nails release on MySpace.com generated half a million user streams in a single week.

Parents don't know the history of MySpace.com like teens do: "Today's adults are as clueless about these realms as our parents were about Twisted Sister and Hammer pants."

Interest in MySpace.com increased following the murder of 17-year-old Taylor Behl who had a MySpace.com account. The account is now full of goodbyes and well wishes.

A MySpace.com member has a network of 68 friends on average.

The site is providing useful information about teen spending habits. For example, teens spend about $50 per month for ringtones and they aren't interested in CD players.