To countless people worldwide, the social networkingwebsiteFacebook is synonymous with the internet itself. However, it is worth noting that like many other successful companies, Facebook had humble beginnings. It was on February 4, 2004, that student Mark Zuckerberg launched a service he called “The Facebook” at Harvard University. The original idea was that Zuckerberg’s website would serve asa source of information for Harvard students about other students on campusthey might like to get to know. The Facebook was an instant hit, with more than 1,000 students registering accounts within the first 24 hours. By the end of 2004, now just “Facebook,” the site was being used by students from more than 50 colleges across the United States. Not long afterward, the platform became accessible to nonstudents. The rest, as they say, is history. But how has Facebook shaped our lives over the past 17 years?
There is no denying thatFacebook has played a major rolein the current era of user-generated content. However, the development and growth of Facebook has not been without its controversies. In recent years, Facebook has invitedcriticismfor enablingits users to influence global politics by spreading false information. Furthermore, many have questioned Facebook’s data protection policies, arguing that the platform does not do enough to protect its users’ personal information. Nevertheless, Facebook continues to go from strength to strength, and will likely remain one of the world’s most valuable companies for many years to come.
