The evolution of the platform Facebook will continue to amaze me, as it is now the most used social media platform with 2.3 billion users. Facebook started off with four college guys with an idea for an app. The app started off as a rating app of the attractiveness of peers at their college. This app was a start to a great new beginning for these men, yet after two days their university shut down their app due to violations of student conduct. Their app was a major success and within the two days of it being up it spread like wildfire. These users are the early adopters as they were the first to be interested and download the platform. They continued on with the app and registered Facebook.com in February of 2004. This website was a space where college students could upload pictures and status updates, something many have never seen before. The early majority continued to grow as college students within ivy league universities began to flood onto the site. As the platform continued to grow by the end of 2004 there were over 100 million users. This platform was still exclusive only to those in college and not to anyone else outside of that bracket. Two years later in 2006 the platform was released to all above the age of 13, making it easily accessible to many. These are the late adopters, as they have not experienced and or been able to join the platform. Being established for over years they generated a foundation that they could up and run with. This could be seen as a downside as the platform was not accessible to all that wanted to join. Yet this allowed Facebook to grow first and gain credibility. Technology can always be seen as a negative within individuals day to day life. Yet Facebook can be seen as a platform that can keep family and friends connected and updated though a click of a button. Many use the platform purely for keeping up with the lives of their friends and family, yet some use it for entertainment. Along with the fact that Facebook has become a megahub for advertising and marketing. Screen time is important to keep at a minimum yet for some this could be their only way of contacting and or keeping updated with some family. Many individuals make the choice to stay off of social media, as that is their personal choice. I understand the want to stay off social media platforms as they can become toxic and consume daily lives. The issue of identity theft is also something that people may steer clear of social media for. Yet if you are safe and have a good intention when downloading the platform self control could be established. Facebook is an amazing way to stay connected with family and friends within the palm of your hands, especially in times like now. In a global pandemic you may not be able to see all your friends and or family regularly, this platform allows those who cannot connect to connect. In my opinion the negatives of the platform would outway the positives. Having a hub of communication with your loved ones is something not many platforms have been able to do before Facebook. Staying connected and informed is easy and can be safe if you are careful with who you are friends with on the platform. I would compare Facebook to a reunion of your close family and friends but virtually. Scrolling through one's profile could show you the highlight reels of their past 5 years, something you would normally have to meet up and or have a conversation about. The diffusion of innovation throughout this platform was short yet booming. From a few hundred users at the beginning of 2004 to 2020 with over 2.3 billion users Facebook will only continue to grow and expand further.
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