Social networking is a hype for teenagers. Although Facebook is the most commonly used social networking site in the world, a new free photo app was created on iTunes for the iPhone, called Instagram, on Oct. 6, 2010.

Instagram is an app to share photos with friends on smart phones. It became an app on Android phones on April 3, 2012. In six days there were over five million new downloads of the app.

Currently, Instagram is one of the highest downloaded apps for Androids and iPhones.

Sophomore Logan Motas said, “Instagram is a unique app where I can keep track of what my friends are up to and where I can edit and share my own photos. I use it every day. Love it!”

Sophomore Sidney Palea agreed. “I love Instagram because I get to see really neat edited photos of things, especially food.”

Because of the success of Instagram, Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook, decided to buy Instagram for one billion dollars. Now Instagram is more valuable then the 161-year-old New York Times.

Many teenagers have Instagram and are spending less time on Facebook and more time on their phones.

Still, other teens continue their dedication to their Facebook pages.

Sophomore Elizabeth Serraro said, “ I like Facebook better then Instagram because you can post things other than photos and especially chat with friends.”

Palea said, “I do like Instagram, but I enjoy Facebook more because you get more current information rather than just pictures.”

Although Instagram is a widely used app, there are fewer users than other social networking sites because it is specific only to smart phones and iTouches. Teens who do not have these devices don’t have the chance to be a part of it. Many who have smart phones are happy that it is only on phones so it isn’t as widely used while those who don’t wish that it was online.

Sophomore Tiare Sadarananda said, “If Instagram could be accessed on the computer, it would be available to everyone, rather than just those own smart phones and iTouches, which for me would be better.”