The History of Social Media and its Impact on Business

Abstract

IntroductionThis paper examines history of social media. The plan was to approach this work from it historical development to its modern day perspective. The authors also looked at definition of social media, its concept and application in 21st century. In decade of information systems, social media has played a vital role in transforming business and communications. We believe that fastest way to grow a business entity is through social media and networking. In 2000, many social networking sites emerged to ease interaction with people that share common interest in music, education, movies and so on. This also affected how businesses conducted their transactions and advertisements, and also their products.It is difficult to study social media without encountering phrase social networking. Therefore, both concepts are discussed in this article. The Merriam- Webster dictionary defines social media as forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social networking and blogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and content (as videos). The same source defines networking as the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.There are many ideas about first occurrence of social media. Throughout much of human history, we've developed technologies that make it easier for us to communicate with each other (Carton, 2009). The earliest information encountered by writers of this article referred to 1792 and use of telegraph to transmit and receive messages over long distances (Ritholz, 2010). Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist known by many as father of sociology, and Ferdinand Tonnies, a German sociologist, are considered pioneers of social networks during late 1 800s. Tonnies believed that social groups could exist because members shared values and beliefs or because shared conflict. His theory dealt with social contract conceptions of society. Durkheim combined empirical research with sociological theory. Also, in late 1800s, radio and telephone were used for social interaction, albeit one-way with radio (Rimskii, 20 11, Wren, 2004).Social networks have evolved over years to modern-day variety which uses digital media. However, social media isn't that new. In addition, it didn't start with computer but instead telephone. During 1950s, phone phreaking, term used for rogue searching of telephone network, began. This process was accomplished through use of homemade electronic devices that facilitated unauthorized access to telephone system to make free calls. Phreaks were able to find telephone company test lines and conference circuits to complete their task. Brett Borders stated phreaks were able to hack into corporate unused voice mailboxes to host first blogs and podcasts (Borders, 2010).During 1960s, public saw advent of email (Borders, 2010). However, internet was not available to public until 1991. Email was originally a method to exchange messages from one computer to another, but both computers were required to be online. Today, email servers will accept and store messages which allow recipients to access email at their convenience. In 1969, ARPANET, created by Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), a U.S. government agency, was developed. ARPANET was an early network of time-sharing computers that formed basis of internet. CompuServe, third development of 1960s, was also created in 1969 with a mission to provide time-sharing services by renting time on its computers. With very high fees, this service was too expensive for many (Rimskii, 201 1; Ritholz, 2010).Computer TechnologiesSocial media was further developed during 1970s. …