A blue and white logo for a social media management tool called Socialionals.

List of Internet phenomena

Share This
« Back to Glossary Index

Internet[1] phenomena, as the primary focus of this passage, largely refers to various trends, memes, viral videos, challenges, and other Internet-based content that achieve significant popularity and acknowledgment. Originating from a wide array of sources such as TV programs, games, commercials, and user-created content, these phenomena can quickly propagate across numerous platforms like social media, video-sharing sites, and email[2] threads. The forms of Internet phenomena are diverse, encompassing everything from comical or bizarre memes to interactive challenges promoting user engagement. They often mirror and shape mainstream culture, thus playing a crucial role in digital communication. However, some Internet phenomena can stir controversy or pose safety issues.

Terms definitions
1. Internet ( Internet ) The Internet, a global network of interconnected computer systems, utilizes standardized communication protocols, predominantly TCP/IP, to connect devices across the globe. The term 'Internet' has its roots in the 1849 term 'internetted' and was later adopted by the US War Department in 1945. The inception of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s when computer scientists developed time-sharing systems, which eventually led to the creation of ARPANET in 1969. The Internet operates autonomously, without any central control, and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages its primary name spaces. It has revolutionized traditional communication methods and has seen an exponential growth, with the number of internet users growing by 20% to 50% every year. In 2019, more than half of the global population was using the Internet. The Internet protocol suite, comprising TCP/IP and four conceptual layers, directs internet packets to their intended destinations. Fundamental services such as email and Internet telephony function on the Internet. The World Wide Web, an extensive network of interconnected documents, serves as a crucial element of the Internet.
2. email. Email, a vital communication tool since its introduction in 1975, has become an integral part of our daily lives. This system functions over computer networks and the internet, enabling global message transmission and reception. While 'email' is the commonly accepted term in style guides, variations such as 'E-mail' are occasionally used, especially in American and British English contexts. The process of this system includes a sender composing a message via a Mail User Agent (MUA), which then sends it to the recipient's mail exchange server. The recipient's MUA subsequently retrieves the message. Thanks to the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME), emails can now include multimedia content. For safety, email systems employ a store-and-forward model, whereby email servers receive, forward, store, and deliver messages. This method facilitates email exchanges without requiring users to be online simultaneously.

Internet phenomena are social and cultural phenomena specific to the Internet, such as Internet memes, which include popular catchphrases, images, viral videos, and jokes. When such fads and sensations occur online, they tend to grow rapidly and become more widespread because the instant communication facilitates word of mouth transmission.

This list focuses on the internet phenomena that is accessible regardless of local internet regulations.

« Back to Glossary Index
Keep up with updates
en_USEnglish