US President Barack Obama's inauguration was billed as the biggest new media event in history and the millions of netizens around the world did not disappoint, with internet and mobile networks brought to their knees by people accessing and uploading videos, photos, tweets and text.

Obama's election campaign galvanised a generation of politically engaged young voters who are used to not only consuming news from traditional sources but adding their own thoughts and coverage via social media sites including YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Many used video sites such as Stickam and Ustream.tv to broadcast their thoughts live from the parade route and inauguration parties.