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ARPANET
ARPANET goes live, marking the beginning of digital networking -
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Early Foundations (Pre-Social Media Era)
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Bulletin Board Systems (BBS)
Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) allow message exchange and file sharing. -
Usenet and IRC
Usenet and IRC enable global communication among niche groups. -
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Birth of Social Media Platforms
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Six Degrees
Six Degrees is the first true social networking site, allowing profile creation. -
Friendster
Friendster launches as one of the first major platforms to connect users through "friends of friends" -
LinkedIn
LinkedIn launches as a professional networking platform -
MySpace
MySpace launches, featuring customizable profiles and music sharing -
Facebook
Facebook launches for college students, revolutionizing networking. -
Reddit
Reddit launches as a community-driven content aggregation and discussion platform. -
YouTube
YouTube launches, revolutionizing video sharing and user-generated content. -
Twitter
Twitter focuses on brevity with 140-character posts -
iPhone
The iPhone launches, making mobile social media mainstream. -
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Key Technological Advancements
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WhatsApp
WhatsApp launches, revolutionizing instant messaging with its cross-platform service. -
Instagram
Instagram launches, emphasizing visual storytelling. -
4G
Widespread 4G adoption transforms streaming and live broadcasting. -
Pinterest
Pinterest launches, emphasizing visual content, curation, and inspiration. -
Snapchat
Snapchat pioneers disappearing content and filters -
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Shifting Social and Cultural Factors
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Policies, Laws, and Regulations
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Fake News
Fake news and social media's influence on elections spark debates. -
TikTok
TikTok became a popular platform for sharing short-form video content, especially among younger users. Today, it has over 1 billion monthly active users. -
TikTok Faces U.S. Security Concerns
U.S. lawmakers investigate TikTok’s ties to China over data privacy concerns, leading to ongoing regulatory scrutiny. -
COVID-19
Social platforms become vital during the COVID-19 pandemic for maintaining social connections. -
5G
5G begins rolling out, enabling augmented and virtual reality integration. -
TikTok Trending
TikTok dominates with short-form video content. -
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Emerging Trends
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Elon Musk Buys Twitter
Elon Musk acquires Twitter for $44 billion, sparking debates about free speech and moderation. -
Twitter Moderation Under Elon Musk
After Elon Musk’s acquisition, changes to Twitter's content moderation policies and verification system spark global debates about platform integrity. -
AI
AI tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney reshape content creation.