Social media refers to websites and apps that allow users to communicate and share content, including Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram. It originated in 1997 with SixDegrees, which allowed users to create profiles and connect with friends. Major platforms like MySpace and MSN grew in popularity in the early 2000s as internet access expanded. Now, social media has evolved into a key marketing tool, allowing celebrities and brands to advertise directly to vast audiences. It has also transitioned from primarily connecting friends to becoming a source of entertainment, where users both create and consume content like memes and reality television-style drama.