ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Network effects

Network effects happen when the value someone gets from using a product or service increases when more people use it. For example, if you had a phone but nobody else did, you wouldn't be able to call anyone. But if everyone had a phone, then you could call anyone. The more people that use phones, the more useful it is for everyone to have one. Network effects often happen with technology like social networks and phones, but they can happen in other things too.