Social networking service facts for kids

The European Southern Observatory uses social networks to engage people in astronomical observations.

A social networking service (often called an SNS or social media site) is an online place where people connect. It's like a digital hangout spot. You can build friendships and relationships with others who have similar hobbies, interests, or even real-life connections. These sites let you share ideas, photos, videos, and updates. You can also tell friends about online or real-world events.

Social networking services come in many forms. They work on computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Many let you share photos, videos, and even write online diaries (called blogging). While people have always connected in person, like at a market, the internet lets us connect with people all over the world. All you need is an internet connection.

On some platforms, you can contact any other member. On others, you can only connect with people you already know, or friends of friends. For example, Facebook is huge, with billions of users connecting every month. LinkedIn is for careers. It usually asks you to know someone in real life before you connect online. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom became very important. It's a video call platform that helped people connect for school, work, and meetings from anywhere.

What are the Main Types of Social Networks?

Social networking services can be grouped into different types. They often let you share details about yourself, like your age or interests. They also help you connect with friends. Here are four main types:

• Socializing Networks: These are mainly for hanging out with friends or meeting new people. Examples include Facebook, Instagram, and X.
• Online Social Networks: These are decentralized computer networks. Users talk to each other through internet services.
• Networking Services: These are mostly for professional or non-social communication. LinkedIn is a good example, focusing on careers and jobs.
• Social Navigation Services: These help users find specific information or resources. Think of Goodreads for books or Reddit for discussions on many topics.

Largest Social Networking Services

Here is a list of the biggest social networking services. They are ranked by how many active users they had in January 2024. This information comes from Statista.

*Some platforms haven't shared new user numbers in the last year. So, these figures might be a bit old and less exact.
**This number uses daily active users. The monthly active user count is probably higher.

See also

In Spanish: Servicio de red social para niños