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The First Social Media site begins: Six Degrees
In May 1997 Six Degrees was created by Andrew Weinreich. It is considered and generally accepted as the first social media site. The features of the site had profiles, information, friends lists, and school affiliation. It was popular for its time but lack of internet access limited its growth. Ngak, C. (2014, February 04). Then and now: A history of social networking sites. Retrieved September 13, 2018, from https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/then-and-now-a-history-of-social-networking-sites/2/ -
Social Media Evolves: Friendster
In 2002 Friendster was launched by Jonathan Abrams & Peter Chin. It was Social Media's transition to meeting new people & encouraged the user to branch out. The site's traffic did cause technical issues. Still, Friendster is "still credited as giving birth to the modern social media movement." Ngak, C. (2014, February 04). Then and now: A history of social networking sites. Retrieved September 13, 2018, from https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/then-and-now-a-history-of-social-networking-sites/2/ -
NetWORKING: LinkedIn
LinkedIn was founded by four Silicon Valley professionals. It was originally for posting your resume, but it has grown into a networking giant. It has changed the way employers find potential employees and vice versa. It is now so established that it is for a lot of companies the primary way to first apply for a job. It gave credibility to online networking through social media. Gregersen, E. (2018, July 12). LinkedIn. Retrieved September 13, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/LinkedIn -
Social Media changed forever: Facebook
In 2004 Facebook was founded. It was not until 2006 it became a site open to the public. Its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, was a student at Harvard when he made the site. The site's popularity would only continue to build with time. Ngak, C. (2014, February 04). Then and now: A history of social networking sites. Retrieved September 13, 2018, from https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/then-and-now-a-history-of-social-networking-sites/2/ -
Youtube comes to social media
Founded in 2005, Youtube has became the main and sole site/application as a source for video entertainment. Youtube is unique in that it really doesn't have a main rival, and it continues to expand and recently added livestreaming. Youtube is continuing to evolve and change video entertainment. Youtube being free has allowed it to reach maximum audience. X, A. (2016, November 10). Public Access - The History of Youtube. Retrieved from https://www.engadget.com/2016/11/10/the-history-of-youtube/ -
MySpace Dominates
Founded in 2003 by several employees from a marketing firm, MySpace was truly the first powerful social media site. In 2006, it was the #1 site & valued at $12 billion. It was eventually overtaken by Facebook and faded out of relevance, but it is firm in the memory of early social media users. Ngak, C. (2014, February 04). Then and now: A history of social networking sites. Retrieved September 13, 2018, from https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/then-and-now-a-history-of-social-networking-sites/2/ -
Twitter comes to the stage
In 2006, Twitter was founded by Jack Dorsey. It initially started out as an idea centered around SMS messaging, but it has grown exponentially. By 2007, 60,000 tweets were being sent a day. The concept of 140 characters per tweet and hashtags changed social media forever. It was more about condensing your thoughts and opinions, a new idea at the time. MacArthur, A. (2018, August 27). The History of Twitter You Didn't Know. Retrieved from https://www.lifewire.com/history-of-twitter-3288854 -
Facebook climbs to the top
By 2008, Facebook had surpassed MySpace as the most popular social media site. Facebook's "News Feed" brought up the sacred topic of privacy, and by 2008 it was two years into its development. Also, in 2008 the live feed was introduced which challenged rival Twitter. Facebook, compared to MySpace, put more emphasis on real profiles. Hall, M. (2018, August 02). Facebook. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Facebook -
Communication changed forever: Snapchat
In 2011, Snapchat was founded by Evan Spiegal. It was a revolutionary way of messaging: through taking pictures that disappeared after they were viewed. There was a fear that it was an easy way that promoted sexting, but Snapchat never changed its basic concept of disappearing photos. Frozen Fire. (2017, December 14). History of Snapchat & Future of Disappearing Photos. Retrieved from https://frozenfire.com/history-of-snapchat/ -
Photo Social Media: Instagram
In 2010, Instagram was founded by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. Instagram, unlike Facebook and Twitter, had the foundation of photos instead of statuses or tweets. Instagram was purchased by Facebook in 2012, a sign of its potential. Instagram was also based out of being a smart phone application instead of the web. Desreumaux, G. (2014, January 3). The Complete History of Instagram • Instagram • WeRSM - We are Social Media. Retrieved from https://wersm.com/the-complete-history-of-instagram/ -
Snapchat Stories
In 2013, Snapchat began Snapchat stories. They have been a controversial part of the core of social media, which is capturing the moments that draws the most attention. Users post videos or photos that last 24 hours. No other social media platform had such an idea, and the concept has been copied by Instagram and Facebook. Frozen Fire. (2017, December 14). History of Snapchat & Future of Disappearing Photos. Retrieved from https://frozenfire.com/history-of-snapchat/ -
Facebook testifies
Dealing with Russian influence in the U.S. election, Zuckerberg testified in front of Congress. Privacy issues headlined Facebook's troubles Weinberger, M. (2018, May 14). Mark Zuckerberg just turned 34 years old. Here are 33 photos of Facebook's rise from a Harvard dorm room to world domination. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-history-photos-2016-9#facebook-had-a-rocky-2017-and-a-rockier-2018-culminating-in-zuckerberg-testifying-in-front-of-the-united-states-congress-34
