Social Media Surpasses 5 Billion Users Exploring the Roots of Communication Prior to Facebook's Dominance
Social media, in its varied forms, has become an integral part of almost everyone's daily life. Morning rituals often start with scrolling through the latest news, and evenings end with the glow of screens as we fear missing out on any event.
Recent studies reveal that the number of active social media users has surged past 5 billion, accounting for approximately 62.3% of the global population. This data was presented in a report crafted by media monitoring company Meltwater and digital agency We Are Social, which highlighted a 5.6% increase in users last year, vastly outpacing the 0.9% global population growth.
Facebook, now part of the Meta company, records the highest user count of 2.19 billion. Instagram trails in second place with 1.65 billion users, closely followed by TikTok, boasting 1.56 billion.
Though the internet has existed for decades, it is over the past two decades that social media platforms have gained significant traction. These platforms allow users to share content and interact with one another in real-time.
For many especially the younger demographic the earliest social media platform they can recall is Facebook. However, several platforms predate Facebook, with the oldest harking back to 1997.
Social Media Evolves from Human Connection and Digital Technology
Merriam-Webster defines social media as a form of electronic communication, such as social networking sites and microblogs, where users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content, like videos.
The Pre-Internet Roots
The earliest whisper of social media can be traced back to May 24, 1844, with a series of electronic taps on a telegraph machine according to Maryville University. This historic occurrence marked the first electronic message sent from Baltimore to Washington D.C., an event that Samuel Morse was aware held historical significance.
Although digital communication roots run deep, the modern inception of the internet and social media is usually attributed to the launch of the ARPANET in 1969, an early digital network established by the U.S. Department of Defense that allowed scientists from interconnected universities to share software, hardware, and data.
The Birth of Actual Social Media Platforms
The first notable examples of social media platforms were Six Degrees and Friendster. Despite their influential roles in sparking what would become the social media revolution, both platforms have ceased to exist.
Six Degrees
Regarded as the “first true social media site online,” Six Degrees, was named after the “six degrees of separation” theory. The site enabled users to register with their email address, create personal profiles, and add friends to their network. Launched officially in 1997 and peaking at about 3.5 million users, Six Degrees was acquired by YouthStream Media Networks for $125 million in 1999 but was shut down merely a year later.
Friendster
In 2002, Friendster emerged as a contender to Six Degrees. The platform allowed users to sign up, make friends and mark them as part of a personal network. Users could share videos, photos, and messages with one another, and even leave comments on profiles within their network. Within months of launch, Friendster amassed over 3 million users and ultimately exceeded 100 million.
LinkedIn
Launched in May 2003 by Reid Hoffman and other co-founders, LinkedIn started as an online CV broadcasting site but evolved into a business networking platform and continued growing with new features like recruitment solutions for corporations.
MySpace
Myspace was founded by employees of eUniverse in August 2003 and was known for its customizable profiles and music band pages. In 2006, it was valued at $12 billion, overtaking all other social platforms. However, a redesign strategy failed to reclaim its dominance, leading News Corp to sell the platform to Specific Media for $35 million in 2011.
Orkut
Google's first attempt at social networking was Orkut, launched in January 2004. Initially, membership was by invitation to create a trusted community, but it was seen as too exclusive and never overtook Friendster or MySpace in the U.S.
Facebook
Facebook, founded by Mark Zuckerberg and others on February 4, 2004, started exclusively for Harvard students before becoming available to anyone claiming to be over 13 years old. Facebook quickly rose in popularity and has remained the most used platform to date.
Later platforms such as “Twitter,” known today as “X,” launched in March 2006, and Instagram, launched in October 2010, focused exclusively on photo and video sharing for smartphones. Snapchat was introduced in September 2011 and featured disappearing images after they were viewed.
As social media user numbers continue to climb, the landscape evolves, marking an era where connecting and sharing have become woven into the fabric of modern life.
Facebook, now part of the Meta company, records the highest user count of 2.19 billion. Instagram trails in second place with 1.65 billion users, closely followed by TikTok, boasting 1.56 billion.
Though the internet has existed for decades, it is over the past two decades that social media platforms have gained significant traction. These platforms allow users to share content and interact with one another in real-time.
For many especially the younger demographic the earliest social media platform they can recall is Facebook. However, several platforms predate Facebook, with the oldest harking back to 1997.
Social Media Evolves from Human Connection and Digital Technology
Merriam-Webster defines social media as a form of electronic communication, such as social networking sites and microblogs, where users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content, like videos.
The Pre-Internet Roots
The earliest whisper of social media can be traced back to May 24, 1844, with a series of electronic taps on a telegraph machine according to Maryville University. This historic occurrence marked the first electronic message sent from Baltimore to Washington D.C., an event that Samuel Morse was aware held historical significance.
Although digital communication roots run deep, the modern inception of the internet and social media is usually attributed to the launch of the ARPANET in 1969, an early digital network established by the U.S. Department of Defense that allowed scientists from interconnected universities to share software, hardware, and data.
The Birth of Actual Social Media Platforms
The first notable examples of social media platforms were Six Degrees and Friendster. Despite their influential roles in sparking what would become the social media revolution, both platforms have ceased to exist.
Six Degrees
Regarded as the “first true social media site online,” Six Degrees, was named after the “six degrees of separation” theory. The site enabled users to register with their email address, create personal profiles, and add friends to their network. Launched officially in 1997 and peaking at about 3.5 million users, Six Degrees was acquired by YouthStream Media Networks for $125 million in 1999 but was shut down merely a year later.
Friendster
In 2002, Friendster emerged as a contender to Six Degrees. The platform allowed users to sign up, make friends and mark them as part of a personal network. Users could share videos, photos, and messages with one another, and even leave comments on profiles within their network. Within months of launch, Friendster amassed over 3 million users and ultimately exceeded 100 million.
Launched in May 2003 by Reid Hoffman and other co-founders, LinkedIn started as an online CV broadcasting site but evolved into a business networking platform and continued growing with new features like recruitment solutions for corporations.
MySpace
Myspace was founded by employees of eUniverse in August 2003 and was known for its customizable profiles and music band pages. In 2006, it was valued at $12 billion, overtaking all other social platforms. However, a redesign strategy failed to reclaim its dominance, leading News Corp to sell the platform to Specific Media for $35 million in 2011.
Orkut
Google's first attempt at social networking was Orkut, launched in January 2004. Initially, membership was by invitation to create a trusted community, but it was seen as too exclusive and never overtook Friendster or MySpace in the U.S.
Facebook, founded by Mark Zuckerberg and others on February 4, 2004, started exclusively for Harvard students before becoming available to anyone claiming to be over 13 years old. Facebook quickly rose in popularity and has remained the most used platform to date.
Later platforms such as “Twitter,” known today as “X,” launched in March 2006, and Instagram, launched in October 2010, focused exclusively on photo and video sharing for smartphones. Snapchat was introduced in September 2011 and featured disappearing images after they were viewed.
As social media user numbers continue to climb, the landscape evolves, marking an era where connecting and sharing have become woven into the fabric of modern life.
