Who Created Social Media?

Tracing the Origins of the Digital Revolution

Social media is now woven into the fabric of our everyday lives—from checking Instagram updates to sharing life milestones on Facebook. But have you ever stopped to ask, “Who created social media?” Where did it all begin? Understanding the history of social media helps us appreciate how far digital communication has come—and where it might be headed.

Let’s dive into the origin story of social media, meet its early pioneers, and explore the evolution that led us to today’s hyper-connected world.

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The Roots of Social Media: A Pre-Internet Connection

Before social media apps and smartphones, early forms of digital interaction paved the way. Think of it like the digital Stone Age—primitive, but groundbreaking.

Early Digital Communication Tools

• Bulletin Board Systems (BBS): Created in the late 1970s, these allowed users to dial in using a modem to post messages and share files.
• Usenet (1980): A distributed discussion system that resembled modern internet forums.
• Internet Relay Chat (IRC) (1988): One of the first real-time chat systems.

These platforms weren’t “social media” as we know it, but they introduced the concept of online community and user interaction.

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The First True Social Media Platform: Six Degrees

If we’re talking about the first true social media network, then we have to start with SixDegrees.com.

Who Created Six Degrees?

• Founder: Andrew Weinreich
• Launched: 1997
• Key Features: Profiles, friend lists, and messaging

Six Degrees was the first site that allowed users to create personal profiles and connect with friends, forming the foundation for what would become the social media experience.

Although it shut down in 2001 due to limited internet access and scalability issues, Six Degrees laid the groundwork for what was to come.

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The Social Media Boom: 2000s Era Pioneers

The early 2000s saw a surge of social media platforms that each brought new features and reached broader audiences.

Friendster (2002)

• Created by: Jonathan Abrams
• Key innovation: Connecting people through mutual friends
• Short-lived but influential

MySpace (2003)

• Created by: Tom Anderson and Chris DeWolfe
• Became the largest social networking site between 2005–2008
• Focused on customization, music, and personal expression

LinkedIn (2003)

• Created by: Reid Hoffman and a team of co-founders
• Focused on professional networking
• Still highly relevant today

These platforms marked the beginning of mass adoption of social networks, with users craving personal expression and community interaction.

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Facebook: The Game Changer

If there’s one name synonymous with the rise of modern social media, it’s Facebook.

Who Created Facebook?

• Founder: Mark Zuckerberg
• Co-founders: Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes
• Launched: 2004 at Harvard University

Originally a college-exclusive platform, Facebook rapidly expanded and redefined how we connect online. Features like:

• Real names and authentic identities
• News feed algorithm
• Timeline and sharing tools

…turned Facebook into the template for social platforms to follow.

By 2012, it had over 1 billion users, securing its place as a cultural and technological phenomenon.

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The Rise of Other Giants: Twitter, Instagram, TikTok

After Facebook came a wave of niche platforms, each offering unique ways to share content.

Twitter (2006)

• Created by: Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams
• Key idea: Microblogging with 140-character updates
• Revolutionized real-time communication

Instagram (2010)

• Created by: Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger
• Focused on photo sharing with filters
• Acquired by Facebook in 2012

TikTok (2016 globally)

• Originally: Douyin in China by ByteDance
• Global version: Launched as TikTok
• Focus: Short-form video content with music and effects
• Rapid growth, especially among Gen Z

Each of these platforms reshaped how people interact, consume media, and influence culture.

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Social Media Today: A Multiverse of Platforms

In 2025, social media isn’t a single destination—it’s a diverse ecosystem. You have platforms for:

• Visuals: Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest
• Video content: TikTok, YouTube
• Real-time interaction: X (formerly Twitter), Threads
• Networking: LinkedIn
• Community forums: Reddit, Discord

Today’s social media is mobile-first, algorithm-driven, and hyper-personalized, reaching billions of users across the globe.

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So… Who Really Created Social Media?

The answer isn’t one person or platform—it’s a collective evolution. But here are the key contributors:

• Andrew Weinreich – First true social media site (Six Degrees)
• Jonathan Abrams – Friendster
• Tom Anderson – MySpace
• Mark Zuckerberg – Facebook’s global impact
• Jack Dorsey – Twitter and microblogging
• Kevin Systrom – Instagram’s visual storytelling
• ByteDance Team – TikTok’s short-form video revolution

Each added a new layer to what we now know as social media.

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Final Thoughts: From Connection to Innovation

What started as a way to connect with college classmates has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar global industry. From influencers to memes to digital activism, social media is a powerful force in shaping culture, communication, and even commerce.

As platforms continue to evolve with AI, AR, and VR integration, one thing’s for sure: social media is still in its early chapters.