Social networks appeared thanks to the efforts of many developers and companies, so it is difficult to name a specific author. However, the first prototypes of social networks began to appear at the end of the 20th century. Here are some key moments in the development of social networks: The first online communities Usenet (1979) is one of the first platforms for exchanging messages and discussions, allowing users to create interest groups. The Well (1985) is a virtual community founded by Stewart Brand and Larry Brillant, which became a meeting place for intellectuals and creative people. Early social networks. SixDegrees.com (1997) is the first full-fledged social network, allowing users to make friends, send messages and post content. Friendster (2002) is a project by Jonathan Abrams, which quickly gained popularity among users who want to communicate and get to know each other. MySpace (2003) - Developed by Chris DeWolf and Tom Anderson, this platform became popular for its music communities and the ability to customize profiles. Modern social media giants. Facebook (2004, Mark Zuckerberg) Twitter (2006, Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams) VKontakte (2006, Pavel Durov) Instagram (2010, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger) Today, Usenet is used primarily by techies.