Within days, we've seen two classic social media platforms from the past being resurrected. Vine, the short-form video platform bought by Twitter in 2012, is making its comeback as Divine. Meanwhile, Friendster, which was one of the first major social networks and paved the way for MySpace and Facebook, is returning with a new iPhone app.

While today's TikTok and Snapchat users might not have heard these names before, they will bring back memories for many millennials. Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder, supports Divine’s relaunch, saying it will provide tools to support the growth of the creator economy.

The new Friendster takes a different approach. It promises no algorithms, no ads and, most radically, no friends in the traditional sense. You can only connect with people you meet in real life by physically tapping phones together using the iOS app. This makes it feel barren but also slows down social interaction, making it more about physical presence than screen time.

Mike Carson, who bought the Friendster name for $30,000, resurrected the platform because he and his wife met on OkCupid. He believes websites can genuinely change people’s lives, helping them meet, fall in love and build families. The app encourages users to reach out to new people in person by seeing their friends’ friends and requesting to message them.

The big social networks are facing criticism for being saturated with ads and fake news. Several platforms have emerged recently, but none has gained mainstream appeal yet. Could names like Friendster and Vine do better? They still have brand recognition among those old enough to remember them, and nostalgia may appeal to the growing ranks of people seeking out low-tech gadgets.