There is never a definitive moment when the internet began as it was the gradual growth and evolution of other systems and technologies.
Many think of the world wide web as the internet as used through a browser but there were mailing lists, newsgroups and such way before that came along.
Compuserve started in 1996 and AOL in the 80's (?).
Like other high-control groups the WatchTower Society doesn't like the idea of free-communication of ideas that they cannot monitor and cannot control so saw it as a threat.
They are only coming around to it being "ok" because they have become like king canute trying to hold back the tide and the reality is that they would start to lose more people than keep more people by trying to ban it's use.
They are hardly enlightened or forward thinking.