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A precursor to forums and social media, Usenet provided global discussion boards and influenced later community platforms.
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AIM popularized real-time online chatting and shaped early internet communication.
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One of the first modern social networks, Friendster influenced the rise of later platforms like MySpace and Facebook.
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MySpace became a cultural hub for music and youth culture in the 2000s, with customizable profiles and music sharing.
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Facebook redefined social networking with real-name identities, friend connections, and later, the News Feed.
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YouTube transformed media consumption by letting users easily upload and share video content worldwide.
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The News Feed centralized updates, changing passive browsing into active engagement.
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Twitter introduced microblogging, limiting posts to 140 characters, and became central to real-time news and activism.
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Hashtags revolutionized how users organize conversations and trends across social platforms.
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Instagram’s focus on mobile photography and filters made visual sharing mainstream
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Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook played a pivotal role in mobilizing protests and spreading information.
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Snapchat innovated with disappearing messages and Stories, shifting user expectations for social sharing.
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A viral campaign on Facebook and YouTube that raised millions for ALS research, showing social media’s power for philanthropy.
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Stories introduced ephemeral, slideshow-style content that quickly became a standard across platforms.
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TikTok’s short-form video format and algorithm-driven feed created a new global entertainment ecosystem.