Social Media Introduction

Abstract

Abstract The proliferation of new social media platforms challenges our understanding of how people interact online, offering a tenuous balance between the promise of collective social connection and the privacy of individuals. In this introduction, we review the history of select social media platforms in order to draw attention to the evolution of the technology that drives wikis, blogs, electronic social networks, and social selection sites. From this history, we identify technologies that have been combined and evolved to allow users new methods of connection. Utilizing these established social media platforms as a foundation, we explore emergent phenomenon, including mobile and gaming, that are revolutionizing our consumption and use of social media. We conclude by highlighting the increasing interdependence between social media platforms, and the challenges for people who use them.