When was creepypasta made?

Creepypasta, a genre of internet Horror stories, began to gain popularity in the early 2000s. The term itself is a portmanteau of "creepy" and "copypasta," referring to short horror stories shared online. While its roots can be traced back to earlier internet folklore, it became more prominent with the rise of forums and websites dedicated to sharing these tales, particularly around 2006-2008. Notable examples include Slender Man and Jeff the Killer, which helped solidify its place in internet culture.