Timeline: evolution of the internet & social media (1969-2025)

By Thazin
  • 1969

    1969

    The U.S. Department of Defense launches ARPANET, precursor to the modern Internet.
  • 1983

    1983

    ARPANET adopts TCP/IP as its communication protocol, setting the foundation for the global Internet.
  • 1989

    1989

    Tim Berners-Lee proposes the World Wide Web (WWW.)
  • 1991

    1991

    The internet became publicly accessible, opening the digital world to everyone.
  • 1997

    1997

    One of the first recognizable social networking sites, Six Degrees, is launched.
  • 1998

    1998

    Google is Founded
    Google begins as a search engine project
  • 2003

    2003

    MySpace becomes one of the first major social networking platforms, influencing music, pop culture, and personal profiles.
  • 2004

    2004

    Facebook is founded at Harvard and quickly grows into the largest social media platform globally.
  • 2005

    2005

    YouTube revolutionizes online video sharing and becomes a major platform for education, entertainment, and news
  • 2007

    2007

    Apple introduces iPhone 1, making the internet more mobile and paving the way for app-based social media use.
  • 2010

    2010

    Instagram focuses on visual storytelling and becomes a social media giant
  • 2022

    2022

    Rise of AI Personalized Social Feeds
    Chat GPT was introduced by OpenAI, making a new era in AI-powered interaction.
  • 2025

    2025

    DeepSeek Chatbot was released and quickly become the most downloaded app on the iOS app store in US. 3.25 millions people within the first few weeks.