There have been many social media websites developed and popularized in the past two decades, but none like Twitter.
As we know, it is a social networking service which enables users to post, share, and view updates called ‘tweets’. Unlike other sites, it has not only helped connect people, but has played significant role in culture, politics and society, since its beginning.
The service is equally used by common people, celebrities, government, organizations and the news media to give updates about trending issues.
In 140-characters, the tweets have played major roles in a variety of issues including governmental elections. It has also caused what is sometimes referred to as ‘Twitter Revolutions’ that included the 2011 Egyptian revolution, 2010-2011 Tunisian protests, 2009 Iranian presidential election protests etc.
Protesters and supporters used Twitter as their platform for expression. For the unrests it caused, Twitter was subsequently banned in many countries, including China, North Korea, and Iran.
At the same time, some other countries have made official announcements through their tweets. Based in San Francisco, Twitter had more than 310 million monthly active users by March 2016.