📰 A Journey Through the History of Media in MIL

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Introduction

In today’s digital age, media is more than just TV or newspapers—it’s tweets, TikToks, blogs, and live streams. Tracing the history of new media helps us understand how our way of sharing and receiving information has evolved. This blog dives into the key moments that shaped new media and its role in developing our media and information literacy.

New Media History 💻 

New media refers to digital platforms that allow people to create, share, and interact with content in real time. Unlike traditional media like newspapers or TV, new media includes websites, blogs, social networks, streaming apps, and podcasts—making communication more interactive and user-driven. 

It started in the late 20th century with the invention of computers and the internet. Early examples were emails and online forums. As technology evolved, so did new media—now involving smartphones, virtual reality, and AI tools that influence how we connect and consume information today. 

Tracing new media’s history shows how access to information changed—highlighting the need to think critically, create responsibly, and engage wisely online.

💡 Why New Media Matters in Media and Information Literacy?

Media and Information Literacy, or MIL, is about knowing how to find, understand, and use information from different types of media. Since most of what we use today is digital—like social media, blogs, and videos—this is where new media comes in.
New media changed how we share and get info. It’s fast and interactive, but it also means we can easily see fake news or misleading posts. 

That’s why we need to be smart about what we read and share online. If we understand how new media works, we can spot what’s real or fake and use the internet more wisely. It also helps us become responsible content creators who think before posting.

Overall, MIL and new media go together because both help us become better and safer digital users. 





Early Beginning of New Media

In 1946, the ENIAC was created as the first electronic computer. It was a huge machine used to solve complex math problems faster than people could. This invention was a big step forward in technology and is considered the beginning of modern computers. Without it, we wouldn’t have the digital tools we use today.

In 1969, ARPANET was built to connect computers from different universities and research centers. It allowed them to send and receive information, which was a big deal at the time. ARPANET is known as the early version of the internet, and it changed the way people shared data.

By 1982, ARPANET had grown and connected more places across the United States and even outside the country. This expansion helped more schools and institutions communicate through computers. It was a major step toward creating the internet we know today, where people from all over the world can connect instantly.

 
In 1991, the World Wide Web became available to the public. It was created by Tim Berners-Lee and allowed people to access websites using browsers. This moment marked the beginning of the internet as we know it. It made it possible for people around the world to read and share information online, making it a major turning point in digital history.

Six Degrees, launched in 1997, is considered the first true social networking site. It allowed users to create profiles, add friends, and send messages—features we still use today. It showed how people could connect online, even if they were far apart. Though it didn’t last long, Six Degrees opened the door for future platforms like Friendster, MySpace, and Facebook.

In 2004, Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg. It started as a site for college students but quickly grew into one of the biggest social media platforms in the world. Just a year later, in 2005, YouTube was launched, letting users upload and share videos easily. These two platforms changed how we interact, communicate, and entertain ourselves online, making a huge impact on new media.

Virtual reality (VR) and smart devices have become a big part of new media. VR lets users experience digital worlds in 3D, making media more immersive and interactive. Alongside this, smart assistants, AI tools, and wearable tech have made media easier to access anytime and anywhere. These tools change the way we play, learn, and communicate online.

Livestreaming has taken over social platforms, allowing creators to connect with audiences in real time. Apps like Twitch, Facebook Live, and newer interactive apps let people stream games, events, or daily life instantly. These apps often include features like reactions, chats, and filters, making the content more fun and personal.

TikTok and Instagram became two of the most popular platforms in the 2010s. They changed how people create and watch short videos, share stories, and build online communities. TikTok made trends go viral fast, while Instagram stayed strong with photos, reels, and influencers. Both apps reflect how fast-paced and visual today’s media has become.

Impact of New Media on Media and Information Literacy

        New media has made a big impact on how we communicate, consume information, and learn. First, it changed the way we communicate. Before, we relied on one-way forms of media like television, newspapers, or radio. But now, with social media and messaging apps, people can interact instantly, share thoughts in real time, and spread ideas to a global audience with just one click.

Second, new media has influenced how we consume information. Since there’s so much content online, not all of it is reliable. That’s why it’s important for people—especially students—to learn how to think critically, fact-check, and be careful with what they read and share. Being media literate means knowing how to spot fake news and understanding which sources can be trusted. 

Lastly, new media has changed education. Learning is now more flexible and creative thanks to digital platforms like YouTube, Google Docs, and online libraries. Students can watch video lessons, listen to podcasts, or explore digital museums from home. These tools help make studying more engaging and personalized.

Overall, new media plays a major role in developing our skills as both informed users and responsible creators in the digital world.

New media has changed so much in a short time. From newspapers and radios, we now have social media, livestreams, and even AI-generated content. It’s amazing how fast things moved. Today, anyone can create or share content online. But with that power comes a lot of responsibility.

I learned that being media literate is more important than ever. We need to think critically, stay safe online, and make sure the information we share is true. Media isn’t just about entertainment—it also shapes how we see the world.

Looking forward, I think media will become even more advanced, maybe with virtual reality and AI everywhere. But no matter how advanced it gets, we still need to be smart, careful, and responsible users.

Being online is like holding a mic in a crowded room—so before you click post, make sure it’s worth saying. 🎤💬

New media has completely changed the way we communicate, learn, and share ideas. From emails and websites to TikToks and livestreams, it gave people the power to connect and express themselves like never before. But with that power comes the responsibility to use it wisely.

By learning how new media started and how it continues to grow, we become more prepared to handle the fast changes in today’s digital world. We need to keep improving our media and information literacy so we can tell the difference between true and false, and become responsible digital citizens. New media will keep evolving—and so should we. 

                                                                                                                     



📚 References

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