The history of social media and some curiosities
- Chilli Flakes
- Sep 10
- 2 min read
Social media is a big part of how we connect today. But it didn’t start with Facebook or Instagram. Let’s look at where it began, what it was for, and some interesting facts along the way.
The early beginnings of social media
Before social media, there were some early ways people connected online. In the 1970s and 80s, there were systems like ARPANET, which let people send messages and share files. It was mostly used by researchers and the military.
You can head over to this article if you want to learn more about ARPANET.
Then came Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) in the 1980s. People could dial in with a modem to post messages, share files, and chat. It was like a simple, private social network.
The first social media platform
The first true social media platform is often considered to be Six Degrees, launched in 1997. It allowed users to create profiles and connect with friends. The idea was new: online identity and social connections.
After that came sites like Friendster (2002), MySpace (2003), and LinkedIn (2003). Each added different features, like music sharing or professional networking.
The purpose of social media before vs now
Early social media was mainly about connecting with friends or like-minded people. It was personal and small-scale.
Today, social media has a much bigger role. It’s used for business, marketing, news, activism, and entertainment. It shapes how people see the world and communicate globally.
The term “social media” wasn’t common until around 2004 😮
The term “social media” is interesting because it didn’t become popular until around 2004, even though online platforms existed long before that. Before then, people talked about “online communities” or “social networks,” but the phrase “social media” wasn’t widely used. It started to catch on as sites like Facebook and YouTube grew.
Curiosities
MySpace was once the most popular social network before Facebook took over.
Twitter began as a simple status update service but quickly became a major platform.
Social media has changed a lot, but at its core, it’s still about people connecting and sharing. Understanding where it came from helps us see where it might go next.
Do you have any questions about social media? We recommend you read this blog: Social media tips for businesses: answering your social media questions.
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