When Did Social Media Become Popular?

Social media really started picking up steam in the early 2000s, but it actually began a bit earlier. One of the first recognizable social media sites was "Six Degrees," launched in 1997. This site let users create profiles and friend lists, laying the groundwork for future social networks.

MySpace hit the scene in 2003 and quickly became one of the first social networking sites to attract a global audience, especially among younger users. Around the same time, LinkedIn was launched, focusing on professional networking, and it's still a significant platform for professionals today.

If you’ve seen The Social Network, you know that Facebook started in 2004, initially just for Harvard students. It quickly expanded to other universities and then to the general public, becoming the go-to social media platform. YouTube, which launched in 2005, changed the game for video sharing and consumption online, making it easy for anyone to upload and watch videos.

Twitter launched in 2006 and introduced microblogging, where users could post short updates. It became a popular platform for real-time news and trends. Around this time, smartphones became more common, which significantly boosted social media usage. Platforms like Instagram (2010) and Snapchat (2011) were designed specifically for mobile users.

By the late 2000s and early 2010s, social media had become a staple in daily life for millions of people worldwide. During the 2010s, these platforms evolved beyond personal interaction to become powerful tools for marketing, politics, and social movements.

For instance, according to the Pew Research Center, social media usage among American adults jumped from just 5% in 2005 to about 72% in 2019. This rapid adoption highlights the significant role social media plays in modern society.

The rise of social media started with early platforms like Six Degrees and saw significant growth with MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube. The introduction of smartphones was a game-changer, leading to the massive popularity of social media in everyday life. Today, social media isn't just about personal communication but also has a broad impact on various aspects of society and culture.