Bebo announces it's returning next month as a 'brand new social network' - Money

‘Probably the best thing to happen this year!’ Bebo announces it’s returning next month as a ‘brand new social network’, 16 YEARS after the original website launched

Bebo has announced that it’s launching a ‘brand new social network’
The original website launched in 2005 and was the go-to site for millennials
It was known for its ‘Other half’ feature, and the option to showcase your ‘Top 16’
The news has been welecomed by many millennials, with one dubbing it the ‘best thing to happen this year’

Published: 14:53 GMT, 29 January 2021 | Updated: 14:53 GMT, 29 January 2021

Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok may be the most popular social media apps these days, but back in the early 2000s, Bebo was the go-to site for keen millennials.

Bebo was founded in 2005, and was known for its questionnaires and its infamous ‘Top 16 friends’ feature.

While the original website was taken down in 2013, Bebo has announced that it’s making a comeback, in the form of a ‘brand new social network.’

The news has been welecomed by many millennials, with one dubbing it the ‘best thing to happen this year.’

Bebo announced its comeback on its website, which is currently in a private beta. It said: ‘Bebo is coming back in February 2021 as a brand new social network. We are currently in private beta’

WHAT IS BEBO?

Bebo was launched in 2005.

Users could upload blogs, photos, music and videos to their pages.

Bebo, alongside MySpace was one of the contenders to Facebook in the early 2000s.

At its peak it had about 40 million users.

It was sold by Michael and Xochi Birch to AOL for $850 million in 2008.

Bebo was eclipsed by Facebook as well as other social networking sites such as Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr.

AOL’s reluctance to invest in the site has been blamed for its decline.

Bebo sought bankruptcy protection in 2013 and Mr Birch bought the company from its receivers for $1 million.

Bebo announced its comeback on its website, which is currently in a private beta.

It said: ‘Bebo is coming back in February 2021 as a brand new social network. We are currently in private beta.’

If you had an account on the original Bebo, you may be dreading your old profile resurfacing.

Thankfully, Bebo has confirmed that any old profiles, including those cringe-worthy photos, have been deleted.

It added: ‘PLEASE NOTE: All old data and photos were lost many years ago and are not recoverable. Sorry.’

While details on what the ‘new social network’ will entail remain sparce, eager fans have taken to Twitter to discuss the news.

One said: ‘Bebo coming back is probably the best thing to happen this year.’

Another added: ‘I’m definitely leaving Facebook once bebo come back!’

And one joked: ‘Currently taking applications for my future other half for when bebo comes back *checks notes* next week???’

Bebo was launched in 2005.

Users could upload blogs, photos, music and videos to their pages.

It had several popular features, including an ‘Other half’ option, in which you could select another user to appear on your page.

While details on what the ‘new social network’ will entail remain sparce, eager fans have taken to Twitter to discuss the news

Once user joked that the return of Bebo was ‘probably the best thing to happen this year’

Back in the early 2000s, Bebo had several popular features, including an ‘Other half’ option, in which you could select another user to appear on your page

The ‘Top 16’ feature was also very divisive, with users asked to choose their favourite friends to showcase on their profile.

Bebo, alongside MySpace was one of the contenders to Facebook in the early 2000s.

At its peak it had about 40 million users.

It was sold by Michael and Xochi Birch to AOL for $850 million in 2008.

The ‘Top 16’ feature was also very divisive, with users asked to choose their favourite friends to showcase on their profile

Bebo was eclipsed by Facebook as well as other social networking sites such as Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr.

AOL’s reluctance to invest in the site has been blamed for its decline.

Bebo sought bankruptcy protection in 2013 and Mr Birch bought the company from its receivers for $1 million.

METHODS FOR PARENTS TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE

Children as young as two are using social media, research from charity Barnardo’s has suggested.

Internet companies are being pushed to do more to combat harmful content online but parents can also take steps to alter how their children use the web.

Here are some suggestions of how parents can help their children.

Use parental controls

Both iOS and Google offer features that enable parents to filter content and set time limits on apps.

For iOS devices, such as an iPhone or iPad, you can make use of the Screen Time feature to block certain apps, content types or functions.

On iOS 12, this can be done by going to settings and selecting Screen Time.

For Android, you can install the Family Link app from the Google Play Store.

Talk to your children

Many charities, including the NSPCC, say talking to children about their online activity is vital to keep them safe.

Its website features a number of tips on how to start a conversation with children about using social media and the wider internet, including having parents visit sites with their children to learn about them together and discussing how to stay safe online and act responsibly.

Understand their internet usage

There are tools available for parents to learn more about how social media platforms operate.

Net Aware, a website run in partnership by the NSPCC and O2, offers information about social media sites, including age requirement guidance.

Limit screen time

The World Health Organisation recommends parents should limit young children to 60 minutes of screen time every day.

The guidelines, published in April, suggest children aged between two and five are restricted to an hour of daily sedentary screen time.

They also recommend babies avoid any sedentary screen time, including watching TV or sitting still playing games on devices.