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Ten years on Facebook is still the world’s biggest and most popular social network, and despite claims from many commentators and teenagers that its time has now come and the site is about to wane, nothing could be further from the truth.
Facebook currently boasts 1.23 billion monthly active users, 60% of whom visit daily — that’s actually a 16% jump year-on-year and, more importantly, it is making serious money. Its profits for 2013 were $1.5 billion US.
Facebook accounted for a 5.7 per cent share of all global digital ad revenues last year and 18.44 per cent of worldwide mobile ad spending, according to eMarketer.
— The age range of Facebook users is seen as a key topic. The consultancy iStrategyLabs reports Facebook has lost three million teens in the United States since 2011, while the number of over-55 users rose 80 per cent. Some other research challenges the idea that Facebook is losing teens.
— A Pew Research Centre report showed Facebook used by 71 per cent of online adults, or 57 per cent of all American adults, in 2013. Pew found 84 per cent of online Americans in the 18-29 age bracket use Facebook, as do 45 per cent of those over 65.
— Facebook billionaires include co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin and its first president, Sean Parker. Chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg has also become a billionaire with the rise in Facebook’s stock.
— Chris Hughes, one of Facebook’s four co-founders, served as director of online organising for Barack Obama’s successful 2008 presidential campaign and later bought The New Republic magazine.
— The Social Network, the 2010 film about the origins of Facebook, won four Golden Globes — including for best picture and best director — and three Oscars, for best adapted screenplay, original score and film editing.
— Facebook had 6,337 employees as of December. Some studies suggest that Facebook-related firms and apps have created many more jobs and economic value.
Reuters/AFP/Canadajournal
