When Did Social Media Begin? A Look Back at the Origins of a Digital Revolution

In today’s hyperconnected world, social media feels like second nature. We tweet our thoughts, post our meals, and scroll endlessly through updates from friends and influencers. But have you ever stopped to wonder—when did social media actually begin?

The answer might surprise you. Social media didn’t just pop up with Facebook or Instagram—it has a much deeper and more fascinating history. Let’s take a journey through time to explore how social media started, what it looked like in its early days, and how it evolved into the digital powerhouse we know today.

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What Is Social Media, Really?

Before diving into its origins, it helps to define what we mean by “social media.”

Social media refers to digital platforms that allow people to create, share, and engage with content in real time. These platforms enable communication, community-building, and content sharing—whether that’s text, images, videos, or a combination of all three.

At its core, social media is about connection. And that desire to connect online dates back decades.

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The Prehistoric Era of Social Media: The 1970s–1980s

Long before Facebook, people were already finding ways to interact online.

Bulletin Board Systems (BBS)

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Bulletin Board Systems allowed users to connect to a central computer using a modem. From there, they could:

• Share files
• Read news
• Leave messages for others

This might seem primitive by today’s standards, but it laid the groundwork for the interactive digital spaces we have now.

Usenet and Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

By the early 1980s, platforms like Usenet and IRC (Internet Relay Chat) emerged, offering threaded discussions and real-time conversations—features that modern platforms still use.

These early networks weren’t pretty, but they were revolutionary. They proved that people wanted to communicate and share online.

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The Rise of Social Networks: The 1990s

The 1990s brought graphical interfaces and the beginning of what we now recognize as social networks.

Classmates.com (1995)

One of the first true social networking sites was Classmates.com, which allowed users to find and connect with old school friends. It didn’t have user profiles as we know them, but it introduced the concept of online communities built around shared real-life experiences.

Six Degrees (1997)

Often cited as the first true social media site, Six Degrees let users:

• Create profiles
• Add friends
• Send messages

It was based on the “six degrees of separation” theory, which suggested that everyone in the world is connected through six or fewer social connections. Though Six Degrees shut down in 2001, its impact was significant—it paved the way for future platforms.

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The Explosion of Social Media in the 2000s

This decade marked the boom of social networking. The foundation had been laid, and now it was time to scale.

Friendster, MySpace, and LinkedIn

• Friendster (2002): A pioneer in profile creation and social circles.
• LinkedIn (2003): Geared toward professionals, still thriving today.
• MySpace (2003): The first platform to reach a mainstream audience, allowing for music sharing, personal customization, and user-created communities.

MySpace was the king of early social media, attracting millions of users and even launching music careers.

Facebook: The Game Changer (2004)

Then came Facebook, founded by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates. Initially exclusive to Harvard students, it quickly expanded.

Facebook’s innovations included:

• A cleaner user interface
• Real names and real identities
• The “News Feed,” which forever changed how content is delivered online

It didn’t just compete—it dominated, becoming the template for modern social networking.

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The Mobile Revolution and the Social Media Giants of the 2010s

With the rise of smartphones, social media evolved from a desktop experience to a constant companion in our pockets.

Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok

• Twitter (2006): Popularized microblogging and real-time conversation.
• Instagram (2010): Focused on photo sharing and visual storytelling.
• Snapchat (2011): Introduced ephemeral messaging and AR filters.
• TikTok (2016): Redefined video content with short-form creativity.

These platforms were built for the mobile-first generation, making social media faster, more visual, and more interactive than ever.

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How Social Media Has Transformed Society

Since its humble beginnings, social media has become more than a way to chat—it has reshaped:

• Communication: Real-time global interaction
• Business: Marketing, customer service, and brand building
• Politics: Movements, campaigns, and public discourse
• Entertainment: Viral content, influencers, and digital fame

What began as a hobby for tech-savvy users is now a central force in our lives, influencing everything from how we shop to how we vote.

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So, When Did Social Media Begin?

If we’re going by the strict definition—interactive, user-generated content platforms—then the seeds were planted in the late 1970s with BBS and bloomed with Six Degrees in 1997.

But the social media we know today truly took off in the early 2000s, with the rise of Friendster, MySpace, and Facebook.

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Final Thoughts: The Journey from BBS to TikTok

From dial-up connections and text-only forums to global platforms with billions of users, the journey of social media has been nothing short of incredible. It’s easy to take these tools for granted, but understanding where they came from helps us appreciate how far we’ve come.

As technology continues to evolve, one thing is certain: social media will keep changing, growing, and connecting us in new ways.