Facebook, now known as Meta, is one of the most influential technology companies of the 21st century. Its history traces the rise of social media from a small college network to a global platform that connects billions of people, while also expanding into virtual reality and the metaverse.

The Beginning

Facebook was founded in February 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and fellow Harvard students Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes. Originally called TheFacebook, the site was designed to help Harvard students connect with one another. Its popularity spread quickly across Ivy League schools and then to universities nationwide. By the end of 2004, it had over a million users.

Expansion and Growth

In 2005, the company dropped “The” from its name, becoming simply Facebook, and opened access beyond universities to anyone over 13 with an email address. Growth accelerated, and by 2006 Facebook became a mainstream social platform.

Key features such as the News Feed (2006), the Like button (2009), and the introduction of Pages for businesses and public figures transformed Facebook into more than just a social network — it became an advertising and media platform.

Going Public

In 2012, Facebook went public with one of the largest initial public offerings (IPOs) in technology history. That same year, it acquired Instagram, strengthening its position in photo-sharing and mobile social media.

Acquisitions and Innovations

Facebook continued to expand through major acquisitions:

• WhatsApp (2014): A messaging service with global popularity.
• Oculus VR (2014): A virtual reality company, signaling a move toward immersive technology.

The company also invested heavily in artificial intelligence, content moderation, and global connectivity projects.

Challenges and Controversies

As Facebook grew, it faced criticism over privacy, misinformation, election interference, and its influence on public discourse. The Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018 raised concerns about data misuse, sparking global debates about the responsibilities of social platforms.

Despite these challenges, Facebook continued to grow, surpassing 2 billion monthly active users by 2017 and becoming a dominant force in online advertising.

Rebranding to Meta

In October 2021, Facebook announced a major rebrand: the parent company would now be called Meta Platforms, Inc. The name change reflected Zuckerberg’s vision of building the metaverse, a virtual environment where people can interact, work, and play through immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality.

While the social media platforms — Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger — remain under the Meta umbrella, the company has shifted much of its investment and identity toward shaping the future of digital interaction.

The Present

Today, Meta is both a social media giant and a leading developer of virtual reality through its Reality Labs division. Its apps connect over 3 billion users worldwide, while its long-term bet on the metaverse aims to define the next stage of the internet.

Final Thought

The history of Facebook (Meta) is a story of rapid growth, massive influence, and bold reinvention. What started as a Harvard dorm project became a company that reshaped communication, media, and technology on a global scale. Whether through social networking or virtual worlds, Meta’s legacy is tied to its ability to connect people — and its future depends on how well it balances innovation with responsibility.