Nowadays social media is a normal part is our life. All the time you are scrolling reels on Instagram and watching an interesting YouTube Shorts or chatting with your friends on Facebook now they all are very common in our life and we spend a lot of time on these platforms daily. But have you ever think about where and how social media actually started? The journey of social media is very long and exciting. Starting from the 1970s all the way to 2025. Let’s take a short look at its history and social media evolution.

1970s to 1980s a Bulletin Boards & Usenet Communities

A first systems of online interaction is created in 70s and 80s. The Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) and Usenet groups created this system for people to post messages, share files, and join discussions and Even created these platforms were very simple and they introduced the brilliant idea of online communities.

In 1990s GeoCities & SixDegrees (The First Social Networks)

In 1990s finally internet is a very common in our homes. GeoCities interact people to create your personal websites and share their interests on it. Then in 1997 a SixDegrees.com was successfully launched often called the first real social network system in history of social media. It allowed users to your create profiles and connect with friends, and build online networking system and more basic features we still see today.

in 2000s a blast of Friendster, MySpace, LinkedIn & Facebook

In a 2000s we saw social networking is grow very. A Friendster came first on social media and followed by MySpace. A Friendster especially made for music and youth culture. Then in (2003) LinkedIn comes and grow very fast. LinkedIn is spatially created to Focused on professional networking on social media also helping people to find jobs and good opportunities. But the real turning point of a history of social media is Facebook. Facebook is created in (2004). Facebook is connected a billions worldwide and changed social media forever.

In 2010s the Era of YouTube, Instagram & Snapchat

Now With the help faster internet. A social media shifted to visuals world. YouTube is a main hub for videos and entertainment in social media. In the other side Instagram made photo sharing trend and also Snapchat introduced stories that disappeared after 24 hours this feature later copied by Instagram and Facebook. Now Social media was about our lifestyle, creativity, and self-expression.

2020s to 2025 an aura of TikTok, Reels & AI Trends

In 2020s we experience a short videos and AI-driven trends. TikTok groe very fast and exploded in popularity worldwide and the other side the Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts joined the race. Social media have a New platforms like Threads by Meta (2023) also presented as alternatives to X (formerly Twitter). In 2025 a social media is not just for entertainment it’s also used for education, business and AI-powered tools. Now Students use social media for an education, build a new creative skills and also for business ideas and even find a new ways for earn money online also.

Conclusion

A growing journey of social media from simple bulletin boards in the 1970s to AI-powered apps in 2025. The history and evolution of social media has been nothing short of amazing. It has changed how we connect, learn, and express ourselves. Now a student use social media is not only a source of fun but also they know about powerful tool of growth and opportunities in the growing digital world.