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PLATO System
An education system is developed at the University of Illinois, containing some of the earliest forms of social media including the chatroom Talkomatic, instant messenger TERM-talk, and the online newspaper and blog News Report. -
Bulletin Board Systems
A way to download, upload, and transfer information and messages through the connection of users to the system. Bulletin Board Systems remained popular until the 1990s. -
IRC Channels
Clients and programs downloadable by users, which can then be accessed to communicate with chat servers and transfer messages to other users within the channel. This format of social media is still active even today. -
World Wide Web is Created
The world wide web through which information can be uploaded, downloaded, and shared is made public. This allows for the creation of modern social media accessible through Internet connection and URLs. -
Instant Messengers
The renowned AOL Instant Messenger is one of the first major instant messengers with its creation in 1997. The format of online text transmission in real-time remains the most popular until the early 2000's. -
Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg releases Facebook which quickly grows to become one of the most influential and popular forms of social media to date. -
Youtube
An American video-sharing service containing channels where videos are uploaded and then comments are made of those videos. -
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Live Social Media Becomes Increasingly Popular
Livestreams where users and streamers can communicate in real-time grow in popularity, with applications including Twitch.tv, Facebook Live, and Periscope, as well as features in apps like Instagram. -
Instagram
An application where users can share pictures and videos which can then be commented on. This form of social media in picture-sharing and commenting remains as the largest of modern social media. -
Snapchat
A messaging app where pictures, videos, and messages can be sent across users, but only for a limited amount of time before they become inaccessible. -
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Social Networks Emerge
Users interact in the virtual world and through the use of augmented reality, connecting with users across the world. Included are applications like VRChat and companies such as Altspace VR.
