Before Web 2.0, the internet was mostly for reading. People used it like a digital book. You could visit a website, read some news, or check information, but you couldn’t do much else. For example, if you wanted to share your opinion on a movie, you couldn’t write a comment. If you wanted to show your photos, you couldn’t upload them. Websites didn’t really “talk back” to you. It was one-way.
When Web 2.0 came, everything changed. People could now interact with websites. You could write comments under blog posts, post pictures on social media, like your friend’s vacation photos, or even edit a shared document. Everyday apps like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram let users become creators, not just viewers. This meant websites had to add buttons, forms, likes, shares, menus, and more. Designers needed to think carefully: “What happens when someone clicks here?” or “How can we show them this action worked?” As a design student, I realize good interaction design helps people feel confident and in control.
Today, things have gone even further. We now use smartphones, voice assistants, and smart watches. People swipe, tap, scroll, or even talk to their devices. Design now has to think about different screens, fast feedback, and keeping things simple. But the core idea hasn’t changed: making it easy and fun for people to use technology in daily life.