Twitter an awkward child as it turns 10

San Francisco

AS Twitter marks its 10th birthday next Monday, it is somewhat of an awkward child - having become a powerful communication tool but still struggling to win users and reach profitability.

Since making a star-quality entrance a decade ago, Twitter has become a must-have tool for journalists, activists and celebrities but has struggled to show it can expand beyond its devoted "twitterati" to become a mainstream hit.