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The beginnings of social networking
Small computer networks that used telephone lines allowed users to log in, share data and send private messages. However, connections were very slow and long distance calls were very expensive. -
The Internet started to become popular
The social networking websites such as Classmates.com and the dating site Match.com were created for specific audiences. -
The first recognizable social media site
The Six Degrees enabled users to upload a profile and make friends with other users. -
Social media began to explode in popularity
In 2003, few employees of a marketing company called Intermix Media copied the idea of Friendster and launched MySpace. MySpace focused on music and allowed users to customize their profiles. It had a much cooler image than Friendster and quickly became more popular. Other sites like LinkedIn gained prominence and sites like Photobucket and Flickr facilitated online photo sharing. -
The modern age of social networking
It started when Jonathon Abrams launched Friendster. He wanted to create a website like Match.com, but didn't want it to be about dating. Google offered $30million to buy Friendster, which was rejected. This turned out to be a big mistake. -
Facebook
Then, in October, a student at Harvard University called Mark Zuckerberg hacked into the university ID database and created Facemash, a site that let students compare ID photos. He then created `The Facebook', a social network that started as an exclusive site for students. -
YouTube first appeared
YouTube launched an entirely new method of communication. The ability to create and share media over very long distances was such a game-changer that it has become something of a behemoth ever since. -
The world's most popular social network.
Facebook and Twitter both became available to users throughout the world. Anyone with an email address could sign up for Facebook. Two years later, Facebook overtook MySpace and became the world's most popular social network. Twitter has attained an almost "cult-like" status since inception. Its ability to allow users to interact directly with celebrities was almost unheard of previously. -
Pinterest and Instagram go live
In March Pinterest goes live, the world’s craft enthusiasts rejoice. In October, Instagram is launched and hits 1 million users by December. A US-based photo and video sharing platform, Instagram is today one of the biggest social media sites in the world. -
The now incredibly popular social media platform TikTok
TikTok was first launched by Douyin for the Chinese market, it was later launched on iOS and Android outside of China. Primarily focussing on uploading and sharing videos, this social networking app has seen an explosion in popularity over the last few years. Most users use it to record short dance, lip-syn, comedy, or other talent videos and it seems to be really finding its stride.
