Question

the history of social media
these days, americans hear the cultural buzzword social media all around them. the news reports about it. their friends and family talk about it. the term has become nearly as common as the words internet, email, and wifi. but what specifically is social media?
according to merriam - websters online dictionary, social media is a kind of electronic communication that helps people create online communities for various purposes. some people might assume that social media is interchangeable with the words internet or online, but it is not. social media is just one part of the internet structure that allows us to be online. and, although it might have taken several decades, todays social media evolved from a string of earlier technologies.
the early days
there is a great deal of debate over when and how social media was created. some people trace its roots all the way back to 1844 and the invention of the telegraph. they argue that it was the very first form of electronic communication ever used. other people, however, look to more recent history for the roots of todays social media.
in 1969, researchers invented a successful method for computers to share information over long distances. the advanced research projects agency network (arpanet) grew from a desire for certain universities to be able to share information more quickly. according to darpa.mil, its initial demonstration in 1969 led to the internet, whose world - changing consequences unfold on a daily basis today.
the people who used arpanet began to experiment with other technologies within the framework of
what is the central idea in the section the early days?
a. even though computers were connected through arpanet, there was still much work to be done to transfer data at higher speeds.
b. even though computer experts could communicate with each other through arpanet, they could not interact with their broader social circles.
c. there is not a specific date for when social media started, but the creation of arpanet introduced technology that first connected people electronically.
d. there might be debate among experts about the origin of social media, but most everyday computer users consider arpanet their first connection to social media

Explanation:

The section "The Early Days" discusses the origin of social media, mentioning the debate among experts about its start - whether it began with ARPANET or has an earlier origin. It emphasizes the uncertainty and debate around the first creation of social media.

Answer:

D. There might be debate among experts about the origin of social media, but most everyday computer users consider ARPANET their first connection to social media.