Habbo.com is an online social network that brings people together through a virtual hotel where members can talk and hang out with each other through with their personal avatar.

Each avatar is completely customizable, and can be easily navigated through the rooms of the hotel.

When inside rooms, members can post public comments in “thought bubbles” or send private messages to each other.

The site targets 13 to 18 year olds and they estimate that 90% of users fit this demographic. It’s free to join this online community, but members can pay a fee get membership into exclusive clubs or get furnishings for their hotel rooms.

All rooms are moderated and filtered to protect the youth on the site.  Users are forbidden from sharing email addresses, phone numbers, or using offensive language.

Members can purchase virtual items by using Habbo coins, which may be bought through a member’s text message or phone call.

Demographics
As of January 2008, Habbo.com claims to have over 86 million registered avatars, and over 8 million unique visitors per month. They also claim to have 75,000 avatars being created everyday.  However, Compete.com reports that the site is receiving about 300,000 unique visitors per month.  Most of their traffic is coming from the United States (47.3%).