Meetup.com was founded in 2001 as one of the earliest online event platforms, allowing people to organize local groups around shared interests. It has grown to host over 2,000 groups worldwide with a mission of strengthening communities. Twitter also hosts various online events, including educational chats and live discussions around television programs to increase viewer interaction and engagement. While these platforms provide free and easy ways to connect people through shared events and discussions, they also face weaknesses like disorganization, potential threats from strangers, and a reliance on constant internet access.