Social media’s evolution and its impact on connection and mental health

Over the last decade, social media has evolved quite a bit. It started as a networking tool and has turned into what we use for communication, news and self-expression.

Platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X (which was formerly known as Twitter), TikTok and Snapchat have grown in their platform size and the number of people they reach, shaping personal interactions online and allowing for global conversations.

At the same time, concerns are growing about how social media can impact our mental health. The design of a lot of social media platforms—which is driven by algorithms and constant notifications—has contributed to our dependency on technology and a culture of comparing ourselves to the people we see online.

As concerns for mental health grow, it’s necessary to understand how social media has evolved into what it is today. Over the last 15 years, platforms have changed designs, logos, algorithms and more. A lot of them have made the transition from longer content to more short-form video content, and influencer culture has grown significantly.

Research from the digital marketing company Vizion said that social media has expanded rapidly from the early days, when platforms like MySpace and LiveJournal were popular, to today, where we see more options for platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat and more.

The rise of short-form video content and live streams has also shaped the way social media has evolved over the years. Platforms like Periscope and Facebook Live launched in 2016, allowing brands, influencers and content creators to connect with their audiences in real-time.

As we think of how social media is today and where it started, a few platforms stand out as big components of the social media wave. USA Today broke down the biggest platforms of the past decade.

One of the first major social media platforms popularized in this decade was Tumblr.

Tumblr launched in 2007 as a blogging platform and quickly became one of the most used websites in the United States. Yahoo acquired the rights to Tumblr in 2013 and gained even more mainstream attention in 2014 when founder David Karp coined the pronunciation of “GIF”.

But Tumblr’s influence declined in 2019, leading many users to make the switch to Twitter. In 2021, Tumblr was sold to WordPress, and its popularity declined after.

One of the first short-form video content platforms to come about was Vine. Vine launched in 2012, and introduced 6-second video clips that were for entertainment. The app quickly gained popularity, which led the owners of Twitter to buy it for $30 million. The app's short videos appealed to users who preferred quick, entertaining content.

As users moved from Tumblr, Twitter grew in users. Twitter originally launched in 2006 but didn’t release a mobile app until 2010. Initially, users were limited to 140-character posts, but they later expanded to allow photos and videos within its posts. Fast forward to 2023, Twitter was acquired by Elon Musk, who changed the platform’s name to X.

Another popular social networking platform that joined the game in 2010 was Facebook, which was founded by Mark Zuckerberg. When the app first launched, its main feature was “the Wall”, where users could post messages for their friends. Since then, Facebook has introduced several redesigns, including a timeline, more emphasis on news, and group interactions.

Besides the major digital giants of this decade, there were a few other platforms that gained popularity.

Instagram, which was bought by Facebook in 2012, allows users to post photos and videos to their feeds for their friends to see. Snapchat, which was created in 2010, allows users to send disappearing videos and chats to their friends. And lastly, TikTok. TikTok, which was originally Musically, popularized short-form videos after Vine was closed. TikTok has gained popularity in recent years but has faced issues like the potential ban the app faces this year.

As social media has evolved, its influence on our daily lives has grown. While these platforms made it easier for us to connect with friends, share content and engage with different communities, they also brought new challenges of anxiety, depression and loneliness. The pressure to maintain a curated online persona and the addictive nature of algorithm-driven content has raised concerns about its impact on mental health.

According to research performed at Lancaster General Health, using social media triggers the brain’s reward system, which is what makes it addictive. Filters create unrealistic beauty standards, and constant exposure to those idealized posts can lead to feelings of inadequacy and “the fear of missing out.” Excessive use can harm schoolwork and increase stress.

But there are ways to make your social media usage habits healthier. Harvard University said if using social media is affecting your mental well-being, try limiting screen time or taking longer breaks between using your phone. Activities like exercising or spending time with friends can also help you to stay off your phone for longer.

The evolution of social media over the last decade has reshaped how we communicate with our peers, express ourselves and interact with the world around us. From early platforms like MySpace and Tumblr to the rise of shorter content on TikTok and Instagram, social media has become a powerful tool in connecting us to people all around the world. As we continue to navigate this new digital landscape, it’s important to find a balance between experiencing real life and using social media.