Maddie's Timeline

By mvejsicky

  • Early Networks and the Precursor to Social Media

    Early Networks and the Precursor to Social Media
    Developed by Duke University graduate students, Usenet allowed users to post messages to shared discussion boards. It was one of the first examples of virtual community-building.

  • The Birth of the Internet

    The Birth of the Internet
    On January 1, 1983, the adoption of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) created the modern internet. This standardization allowed computers to communicate in a universal language, laying the groundwork for all future web-based platforms.

  • The Rise of the World Wide Web

    The Rise of the World Wide Web
    The World Wide Web became publicly available, enabling user-friendly navigation and access to online content.

  • Social Media 2.0: The Era of Platforms

    Social Media 2.0: The Era of Platforms
    MySpace emerged, becoming the first widely popular social networking site. It offered customizable profiles, media sharing, and connection-building. Facebook launched, initially limited to Harvard students. Its introduction of the News Feed in 2006 reshaped the way users interacted with content. YouTube revolutionized video sharing, empowering creators to produce and distribute content. Twitter introduced microblogging, emphasizing brevity and real-time interaction.

  • Key Technological and Cultural Advancements

    Key Technological and Cultural Advancements
    The release of the iPhone in 2007 accelerated mobile access to social platforms. Apps like Instagram (2010) and Snapchat (2011) thrived due to their focus on visual, short-form content.
    Platforms began using sophisticated algorithms to curate content, increasing user engagement but also raising concerns about echo chambers and misinformation.

  • Social Media’s Global and Societal Impact

    Social Media’s Global and Societal Impact
    Platforms like Twitter and Facebook were instrumental in organizing protests and disseminating information during political uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa.

  • Modern-Day Developments

    Modern-Day Developments
    TikTok, launched internationally in 2018, exploded in popularity, emphasizing viral trends and creator-driven content.
    Platforms like Instagram and YouTube increasingly rely on artificial intelligence to recommend content, analyze behavior, and support content moderation.
    The emergence of blockchain-based platforms (e.g., Mastodon and Bluesky) signals a shift toward user control over data and reduced platform monopolies.