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The Early Internet (1970s - 1990s)
1971: Email
Email was the first major form of digital communication. Though it wasn’t social media in the traditional sense, it laid the groundwork for online interaction by allowing people to send messages across networks. 1980s: Usenet and Bulletin Board Systems (BBS)
Usenet (1979) and BBS allowed individuals to communicate across the internet, exchanging ideas in text-based forums. These systems helped form the concept of communities based around shared interests or goals. -
Pre-Social Network Era (Late 1990s - Early 2000s)
1997: Six Degrees
Six Degrees is often considered the first true social networking site. It allowed users to connect with people they knew and share information. This was one of the first platforms where “friends” could form a digital network. 2000: Early Blogging Platforms
Early blogs became a way for people to express personal thoughts and engage in digital storytelling. Blogger and LiveJournal provided a foundation for digital authorship, inspiring future content creators on social media. -
The Boom of Social Networking (2003 - 2010)
2003: MySpace
MySpace was one of the first platforms that allowed users to personalize their profiles with music and photos. It's social networking approach inspired millions of users and was particularly influential in the music industry, allowing artists to directly connect with their audiences. -
The Boom of Social Networking (2003 - 2010)
2004: Facebook (The Social Network)
Facebook’s launch in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg represented the beginning of the current form of social networking. Initially limited to Harvard students, Facebook quickly expanded to other universities and then to the public. The introduction of the News Feed in 2006 revolutionized how users interacted with each other’s content. -
The Boom of Social Networking (2003 - 2010)
2005: YouTube
YouTube (2005) changed the game by offering a platform for anyone to upload videos. The ability for viral content to spread across the world at lightning speed transformed entertainment, marketing, and global communication. -
The Boom of Social Networking (2003 - 2010)
2006: Twitter
Twitter's launch in 2006 introduced the idea of microblogging, where users post short status updates (initially limited to 140 characters). Hashtags emerged as a method for organizing conversations, which later became a key aspect of real-time communication on the platform. -
Social Media as a Cultural Force (2010 - 2020)
2010: Instagram
Instagram (launched in 2010) capitalized on mobile photo-sharing, offering filters to transform images and connecting a global audience. Its shift towards visual content signaled the growing dominance of photos and videos in social media engagement. -
Social Media as a Cultural Force (2010 - 2020)
2011: Snapchat
Snapchat, with its unique feature of disappearing messages, created a new sense of impermanence in communication. This fueled a culture of ephemeral content, especially among younger users, and led to the rise of stories as a key feature across many platforms. -
Social Media as a Cultural Force (2010 - 2020)
2016: TikTok
Initially launched as Musical.ly in 2014, TikTok rebranded in 2016 and quickly gained traction for its short, highly engaging videos. Its algorithm focused on personalization, making viral content accessible to users who weren’t following certain creators. TikTok’s algorithm reshaped the digital entertainment industry, with influencers rising to prominence in ways never before seen. -
Social Media as a Cultural Force (2010 - 2020)
2018: Data Privacy and the Cambridge Analytica Scandal
Social media's darker side came into the spotlight in 2018, when the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed how personal data could be exploited. This led to global discussions about privacy laws, data protection, and the responsibility of social media platforms. -
The Shift Toward Immersive Digital Experiences (2020 - Present)
2020: The COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Media’s Role
The pandemic forced millions to turn to social media for connection, work, and news updates. Platforms such as Zoom and Instagram saw explosive growth. Social media also played a key role in spreading social justice movements, such as Black Lives Matter, and became the go-to platform for news and information in a time of uncertainty. -
The Shift Toward Immersive Digital Experiences (2020 - Present)
2021: Facebook Becomes Meta
The rebranding of Facebook to Meta symbolized a shift toward building a "metaverse," a virtual, immersive social space that blends augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and social interaction. This marked the beginning of the next phase in social media evolution, where platforms would potentially integrate virtual spaces for socializing, working, and living. -
The Shift Toward Immersive Digital Experiences (2020 - Present)
2023: Social Media Regulation and New Laws
As social media's influence continues to grow, governments around the world have started to impose stricter rules. The EU's Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, are setting new rules to curb the power of large tech companies, protect minors, and improve transparency. The push for better regulation continues, as governments work to address the potential harm of social media in areas like misinformation, data privacy, and monopolistic behavior.