Internet, networking aiding singer Bieber

TORONTO, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Teen Canadian singer Justin Bieber says he is enjoying increased fame with the help of social networking and video-sharing Web sites.

The Toronto Star reported Sunday that Bieber, 15, has enjoyed increased popularity in his native Canada and abroad thanks to his videos and songs on YouTube and social networking offerings on MySpace, Twitter and Facebook.

While Bieber has relocated to Atlanta as part of a new record deal, he regularly keeps in touch with his fans via the Internet.

"It's been awesome," Bieber said of his sudden fame.

"At first, I didn't know if this is what I wanted. But I really love to be in the spotlight, and just be the center of the attention."

Bieber told the Star his online fame began three years ago when he first posted his performance at a local contest in Statford, Ontario, on YouTube.

"I put videos of the competition on YouTube for them to see, and it just kind of blew up," Bieber told the newspaper.

"I got a couple thousand hits, and then I got a couple million hits."