Internet and social media
The internet and social networks are two interconnected concepts that have transformed the way connections, we get informed in the modern world.
What is the internet? Internet and social media
The internet is a global network that connects computers and electronic devices, enabling the exchange of information on a global scale. It includes social networks, email, websites, and much more.
But how was the internet created?
As humanity's greatest invention after the wheel and fire, the internet is now used worldwide and serves as a bridge, providing endless opportunities of communication.
The internet began in the 1960s as a way for government researchers to exchange information. Computers in the '60s were large and immobile, and to access information stored on any computer, one had to either travel to the location of the computer or send magnetic computer tapes through the conventional postal system.
Another catalyst in the formation of the internet was the escalation of the Cold War. The launch of the Sputnik satellite by the Soviet Union prompted the U.S. Department of Defense to explore ways in which information could still be distributed even after a nuclear attack. This eventually led to the creation of ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), the network that ultimately evolved into what we now know as the Internet. ARPANET was a great success, but membership was limited to a few academic and research organizations with contracts with the Department of Defense. In response to this, other networks were created to facilitate information exchange.
January 1, 1983 is considered the official birthday of the internet. Prior to this, various computer networks did not have a standard way to communicate with each other. A new communication protocol called the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) was created. This allowed different types of computers on different networks to "speak" to each other. ARPANET and the Defense Data Network were officially switched to the TCP/IP standard on January 1, 1983, and thus the internet era began. All networks could now connect using a universal language.
What are social networks?
Social networks are online platforms that allow users to share content, connect with friends, and create and distribute various types of content. They interact with each other in a virtual environment. These platforms offer a wide range of services and functions.
The history of social networks
The earliest forms of social media emerged almost as soon as technology could support them. Email programs started in the early 1970s. However, persistent communities didn’t appear until the creation of the USENET discussion groups network in 1979. USENET allowed users to post and receive messages within thematic areas called newsgroups. USENET and other discussion forums enabled individuals to interact, but each was essentially a closed system. With the release of the Mosaic web browser in 1993, these systems merged with a user-friendly graphical interface. The architecture of the World Wide Web made browsing the internet much simpler with just a click.
