Evolution of Social Media:  From Early Networks to Modern Platforms


Published: 24 Sep 2025


The history of social media is about how people started using the internet to connect and share. In the beginning, it was only about sending messages and joining online groups.

History of SM

Over time, it grew into powerful platforms that changed the way we talk, work, and live.

This journey shows the evolution of social media from simple text chats to today’s apps with videos, images, and live streaming. Learning this story helps us understand how small ideas turned into global networks that shape our daily lives.

Early Online Communication

The social media origins go back before Facebook and Instagram. People first used simple tools like bulletin board systems (BBS) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These were online spaces where users could share messages and files.

Later, chat rooms and email services became popular. AOL and CompuServe gave people the chance to talk with strangers in real time. Around the same time, texting started in the 1990s on mobile phones, making quick communication even easier.

Some early names that shaped this stage include:

  • Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) – online forums for sharing text and files
  • Usenet (1980) – discussion boards where users posted in groups
  • IRC (Internet Relay Chat, 1988) – live chat rooms for group or private chats
  • CompuServe – one of the first online service providers with email and forums
  • AOL (America Online) – famous for instant messaging and chat rooms

These early steps did not look like today’s platforms, but they built the base for what would later become social networks.

The First Social Networks

In 1997, Six Degrees was created and is often called the first social media platform. It allowed users to make profiles, list friends, and connect with each other online. Many people see it as the start of first social media platforms.

When people ask, what was the first social media platform, Six Degrees is usually the answer. After this, new sites like Friendster and early blogging platforms appeared. These gave people more ways to share their thoughts, photos, and personal updates.

Some of the first social networks were:

  • Six Degrees (1997) – profiles, friends, and simple networking
  • Friendster (2002) – connecting friends and communities
  • LiveJournal (1999) – blogging mixed with social interaction
  • Blogger (1999) – sharing personal thoughts and posts online
  • Ryze (2001) – an early platform for business networking

This stage showed how online connections were moving from just messages to full personal networks.

The Social Media Boom

The early 2000s brought a big change in online life. MySpace launched in 2003 and quickly became the most popular place for music, photos, and personal pages. People loved making profiles and customizing them with music and designs.

A year later, Facebook started at Harvard. Many people ask, when did Facebook begin? It was first launched in 2004, only for students, but it later opened for everyone and changed social networking forever.

Other sites like LinkedIn (2003) for professionals and YouTube (2005) for videos also appeared. This period made social media part of everyday culture.

Key platforms from this era included:

  • MySpace (2003) – music, culture, and customizable profiles
  • LinkedIn (2003) – professional networking for jobs and careers
  • Facebook (2004) – global connection and social sharing
  • YouTube (2005) – video sharing and user-generated content

This stage marked the true boom of social networking worldwide.

Expansion and Diversification

From 2010 onward, the timeline of social media shows quick growth. Twitter became the main place for short updates and news. Instagram brought a new focus on pictures and later stories. Snapchat introduced disappearing messages, and Pinterest gave people ideas for fashion, food, and lifestyle.

Expansion and Diversification of Social Media

This was the time when social media became popular with almost everyone. It was no longer only for young users or tech lovers. Families, businesses, and even governments joined these platforms to share and connect.

Key platforms from this period were:

  • Twitter (2006, grew in 2010s) – microblogging and breaking news
  • Instagram (2010) – visual content, filters, and influencers
  • Snapchat (2011) – disappearing snaps and private sharing
  • Pinterest (2010) – inspiration boards for ideas and trends

Social media now had many faces—personal, professional, creative, and even political.

Mobile and App-Driven Era

With smartphones, social apps grew faster than ever. People often ask, when was social media created, or when did social media begin in the modern sense. Many believe this new era started when apps like Instagram (2010), WhatsApp, and Snapchat moved everything to mobile.

Later, TikTok launched in 2016 and made short videos the most popular form of content. Messaging apps also became part of social media, with features like stories, groups, and voice notes.

Important platforms in this stage included:

  • WhatsApp (2009) – instant messaging and group chats
  • Messenger (2011 as a standalone app) – Facebook’s chat service
  • WeChat (2011) – messaging, payments, and social features in one
  • TikTok (2016) – short-form videos and viral content

This stage showed that social media was no longer just websites. It became part of daily life through mobile phones.

Social Media Today

Looking at the full history about social media, we see how it has become a part of almost every area of life. Today, people use it for news, shopping, business, and entertainment. Influencers and content creators make careers on these platforms.

Many also ask, who made social media or who is the inventor of social media. There is no single person. Different inventors and companies built different platforms over time. From Six Degrees to Facebook, each step added something new.

Key platforms shaping today’s world are:

  • Facebook – still one of the biggest platforms for social networking
  • Instagram – visual sharing, reels, and influencer culture
  • Twitter/X – real-time news and discussions
  • TikTok – short-form video and global trends
  • LinkedIn – professional networking and careers
  • BeReal – focus on authentic daily moments
  • Threads – text-based sharing connected to Instagram
  • Mastodon – decentralized social networking

Now, social media is global. It connects billions of users and shapes culture, politics, and even business decisions.

Future of Social Media

The future of social media will bring even more change. Virtual reality and the metaverse may create online worlds where people meet and work. Artificial intelligence will make feeds more personal and smart.

At the same time, rules for privacy and online safety may become stricter. New platforms will keep coming, and older ones will keep changing.

Just like in the past, the next step will again shape how people talk, share, and connect.

Conclusion

The history of social media shows how simple online messages turned into global platforms. From Six Degrees to Facebook and now TikTok, every step made human connection faster and stronger. It is a story of constant change, shaped by technology and the human need to stay connected.

As an expert in digital trends, I see that social media will keep evolving. The past proves one thing—platforms may change, but people will always find new ways to share and connect online.

FAQs 

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions related to social networking history: 

When was social media invented?

Social media was invented in the late 1990s. The first known platform was Six Degrees in 1997. It allowed people to create profiles and connect with friends. That invention opened the door for the platforms we use today.

When was social media created?

Social media was created when early networks like Six Degrees and Friendster appeared. These sites gave people the chance to link profiles and share updates. They built the base for future platforms. Many people see the late 1990s as the real start.

When did social media begin?

Social media began with experiments in online connections. Six Degrees in 1997 is seen as the first true social network. Before that, forums and chat rooms existed but were not the same. From this point, new platforms grew quickly.

When did Facebook begin?

Facebook began in 2004 at Harvard University. At first, it was only for students. Later, it opened to the public and spread worldwide. Today it is one of the biggest platforms in the world.

When did MySpace launch?

MySpace launched in 2003. It became very popular with music lovers and young people. Users could customize their pages with songs, colors, and designs. It was the top platform before Facebook took over.

What was the first social media platform?

The first social media platform was Six Degrees, created in 1997. It gave users the option to build profiles and add friends. This was the first time people saw online social networking. It started the path for many new platforms.

Who is the inventor of social media?

There is no single inventor of social media. Different people and companies created different platforms. Andrew Weinreich made Six Degrees, often called the first social media site. Later, many inventors added new ideas to grow the field.

When did social media become popular?

Social media became popular in the mid-2000s. Platforms like MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube reached millions of users. By 2010, almost everyone had joined some form of social media. From that time, it became part of daily life.




Ghulam Abbas Avatar
Ghulam Abbas

Engr Ghulam Abbas is one of the Best SEO Expert in Pakistan. He is teaching SEO Course with practical approach to thousands of students in the world. Now, he is also handling this SmSEO.com to share his practical knowledge with everyone.


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