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TCP/IP Protocol Adoption
The foundation of the modern internet was laid on January 1, 1983, with the adoption of TCP/IP. This allowed computers to communicate more effectively, setting the stage for everything that would come later. -
Six Degrees
Six Degrees is considered the first recognizable social media platform. It let users create profiles, connect with friends, and interact within their network. -
Blogging Takes Off
The launch of platforms like LiveJournal and Blogger made sharing ideas and stories online way more accessible. Blogging played a huge role in showing how personal and professional connections could be built online. -
LinkedIn and MySpace
LinkedIn focused on professional networking, while MySpace became the go-to for music and personal expression. These platforms highlighted how social media could serve different purposes. -
The Rise of Facebook
Facebook started as a platform for college students and quickly expanded. It redefined social networking by making it more user-friendly and inclusive. -
YouTube Changes Content Sharing
YouTube made video sharing easy and popular, creating a whole new way for people to share and consume content. It also paved the way for influencers and content creators. -
Twitter and Microblogging
Twitter introduced a new way to communicate with its 140-character limit (later expanded). It became a hub for real-time news, trends, and global conversations. -
Instagram and Visual Content
Instagram’s focus on photos and videos made sharing moments more personal and visually appealing, creating a platform where aesthetics mattered. The introduction of filters, hashtags, and Stories gave users more creative ways to share their lives. It also sparked the rise of social media influencers, turning everyday people into trendsetters who could shape opinions, promote brands, and build careers. -
Snapchat and Disappearing Content
Snapchat changed the game by introducing ephemeral content posts that disappear after being viewed or within a short time. It made sharing private moments feel more casual and less permanent, which encouraged people to be more real and in the moment. When they launched the "Stories" feature, where posts stayed up for just 24 hours, it completely shifted how people interacted on social media. This idea of disappearing stories caught on fast, and now you see it everywhere on other social medias. -
TikTok and Short-Form Video
TikTok exploded by making short-form videos easy and fun to create. Its simple editing tools and endless sound options made it the go-to place for trends, challenges, and creative ideas. More than just entertainment, TikTok built communities and gave creators, small businesses, and educators a platform to thrive. It changed the way people engage with social media, inspiring other platforms to copy its style and shifting the entire landscape.