As Facebook marked its 20th anniversary on February 4, 2024, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took a moment to reflect on the journey of the social media giant. Zuckerberg shared a video and message on Instagram, offering a glimpse into the early days when he, at 19, co-founded Facebook with Harvard University roommates. The platform, launched in 2004, has grown into one of the most widely used social media apps globally, now boasting over three billion monthly active users.
The journey of Facebook began in 2004 when it was launched as a platform connecting Harvard students. Within a year, it expanded to one million users and underwent a rebranding in 2005 as “facebook.com.” By the end of 2006, the platform opened to users above the age of 13 with internet access. The user base grew rapidly, reaching 50 million in 2007 and doubling to 100 million by the end of 2008. In 2012, Facebook went public with a valuation of $104 billion, and by the same year, it reached one billion users.
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Facebook’s continued growth and evolution led to its rebranding as Meta Platforms, Inc., announced by Zuckerberg on October 29, 2021. This shift positioned Meta as the parent company overseeing various products and services, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp.
As the social media landscape faced increased scrutiny over its impact on children and teenagers, Zuckerberg and CEOs of other platforms were summoned to testify before the US Senate Judiciary Committee. During the recent testimony, Zuckerberg apologized to the parents of victims, acknowledging the challenges they have faced, and expressed remorse for the difficulties their families endured.
The journey of Facebook, from a college dorm project to a global tech giant, highlights the transformative impact of social media on communication, connectivity, and digital culture over the past two decades.
