Read the following passage:
In the early 2000s, the advent of social media transformed how people communicated. Initially designed to connect friends and family, platforms like Facebook and Twitter quickly became tools for public discourse. Users began sharing opinions on various subjects, from politics to personal experiences, reshaping the traditional boundaries of communication. Scholars observed that this shift was not merely technological but also cultural, giving rise to a new era of interaction.
As social media gained traction, individuals found empowerment through their voices, cultivating communities around shared interests and beliefs. However, economists noted that this rapid expansion also created challenges, such as misinformation and polarized viewpoints. Experts argued that while social media fostered connectivity, it simultaneously complicated the landscape of public dialogue.