The first true social media platform is widely recognized as SixDegrees.com, which was launched in 1997. It featured many of the core elements of modern social networks, allowing users to create profiles, maintain lists of friends, and communicate through private messaging
. SixDegrees.com was based on the "six degrees of separation" theory, which suggests that everyone is connected by no more than six social connections
. Despite attracting millions of users, SixDegrees struggled financially and eventually shut down around 2000-2001
. Before SixDegrees, there were earlier forms of online communication and social interaction such as the PLATO system in the 1970s and bulletin board systems (BBS) in the 1980s and early 1990s, but these were not social media platforms in the modern sense
. In summary:
- First social media platform: SixDegrees.com
- Year created: 1997
- Key features: User profiles, friend lists, private messaging
- Significance: Laid the foundation for modern social networking sites
