Social media (1)

The History of Social Media

By Bryce090

  • The First Email

    Ray Tomlinson sent a simple email to himself to prove that digital communication could be done. This ability sparked the growth of digital communication between users. McFadden, C. (2019, July 16). A Chronological History of Social Media.

  • First Mobile Phone

    The first mass produced cell phone was released. Even though it did not have the same abilities as the phones we have today, it was the start of the future. The first phone cell phone call was made by Martin Cooper. Staff, W. P. (2014, September 9). The History of the Mobile Phone.

  • First Touch Screen Mobile Phone

    Philips Consumer Communications creates the first digital screen on a phone, The Synergy. This gave users the ability to access E-maill, Internet and Faxes. This improvement gave way to the ability for users to have digital media at their finger tips. Staff, W. P. (2014, September 9). The History of the Mobile Phone.

  • IRC, The First Digital Text Message

    Jarkko Oikarinen created the Internet Relay Chat, IRC which allowed users to send text messages back and forth with other users. This was one of the first chat systems created. McFadden, C. (2019, July 16). A Chronological History of Social Media.

  • Six Degrees, The First Social Media Platform

    Six Degrees was the first platform to allow users to create profiles and add other users profiles, connecting users from around the world. The platform was created in 1997 and was taken off line in 2001, creating a path for the future of Social Media. Terrell, K. (2019, August 24). A Complete History Of Social Media: From Friendster Forwards. Retrieved from

  • Friendster

    Once the hottest social media pages around, Friendsters helped pioneer what social media would look like. Even though the page is no longer around, back at its height Google tried to buy it for 30 million. McFadden, C. (2019, July 16). A Chronological History of Social Media.

  • Facebook

    Facebook was launched in Harvard and spread to other schools and by 2008 it became the largest social media platform. This platform allowed for people to post content and share private messages. Settings were easy to use and the ad abilities allowed for a new era of marketing. Allen, Z (2018, November 27). The History of Social Media - Where did it all start?

  • Youtube Goes Live

    YouTube as one of the first platforms used for video streaming that allowed users to create, share, and watch digital content. This was a huge step for user created content. McFadden, C. (2019, July 16). A Chronological History of Social Media.

  • Twitter Launches

    Twitter allowed for general users to connect with celebrities on a whole new level by sharing messages of 140 characters. This platform created a new level of equality between users than those before it. McFadden, C. (2019, July 16). A Chronological History of Social Media.

  • The First IPhone

    Steve Jobs Releases the first iPhone, not only did this change the way users see cell phones but it also gave then the ability to use the phone as a computer, multimedia player, and more. Staff, W. P. (2014, September 9). The History of the Mobile Phone.

  • Klout Score

    Klout Score gives users to measure their social media influence. This created a new realm of popularity for digital users. Klout Score also increased the abilities marketers to reach users through influencers. Allen, Z (2018, November 27). The History of Social Media - Where did it all start?

  • Facebook buys Instagram

    This purchase was a major grab by Facebook (A Leader in Social Media. This gave Facebook another platform which was taking off as a photo sharing platform. This was a major purchase that could secure Facebook as the leader in social media. Allen, Z (2018, November 27). The History of Social Media - Where did it all start?

  • Selfie Made it into the Dictionary

    The selfie was used for post on social media and in this year the usage of selfies peaked this year. Also during this year "selfie" landed itself in the Oxford Dictionary, making social media language a part of common knowledge. McFadden, C. (2019, July 16). A Chronological History of Social Media.
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    Vine Fad

    Vine provided people with the creative challenge of creating 6 second videos. Once the app became popular man other platforms began adding video making abilities. Vine was short lived, but caused great change in the dynamic of social media offerings. Newton, C. (2016, October 28). Why Vine died.

  • Facebook and Cambridge Analytica Scandal

    Steve Bannon was on the team that collected raw data from 87 million Facebook profiles during the 2016 election. This data was then used to aid the Republican runners and after the election Steve Bannon became a senior advisor to Trump. This scandal proved that social media could be used to tamper with elections. Chang, A. (2018, May 2). The Facebook and Cambridge Analytica scandal, explained with a simple diagram.