[Editor’s note: On Friday, Jan. 17, The Supreme Court ruled against TikTok, requiring the company to either be sold or banned.]
Teenagers are facing threats of the ban of TikTok.
The U.S., as of today (Jan. 17) is prepping for TikTok to be banned or sold due to governmental information being leaked and questions of national security. This has sparked conversations between teens and young adults questioning the actual fate of TikTok.
TikTok is a social media platform that allows users to create, share, and discover short videos, often featuring music, trends, and creative challenges. It is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. The past few years, it has exploded in popularity by becoming a space for entertainment, education, and viral trends.
However, the U.S. government hasexpressed concerns about TikTok’s data privacy practices and its potential to be used for surveillance by the Chinese government, which set off discussions about banning the app. While some argue that the ban is a necessary move to protect national security, others worry about the impact it will have on social and mental well-being.
Maya Vulahk, a junior, is not happy the app could be gone in days.
“I am really upset about TikTok potentially being banned,” she said. “It is my entire life, my personality, my humor. It’s the app I spend the most time on. Half of my day is wasted away scrolling on TikTok because it’s so entertaining to me. I post quite literally my entire life on my private TikTok account and it’s like my therapy, and it being taken away is going to be bad.”
Maya said she often she uses TikTok to express her humor. She is attracted to the relatability and its entertainment, and says it has become a source of therapy.
Maya disagrees with the court’s decision.
“I think banning TikTok is a very negative choice,” she said. “The majority of the Gen Z population has lived their life on TikTok and there is so much history with this app. Taking away the app is not going to do anything except anger a lot of people.”
While there may be a high volume of content on the platform that could be argued to be silly or unnecessary, there are also hidden gems that are part of the reason teenagers treasure the app; TikTok is often responsible for the rise in popularity of products, people, events, trends, and more.
Sara Echeagaray’s rise from TikTok acting to becoming a professional actress is a prime example of how social media can propel careers in the entertainment industry. She gained attention with her relatable and comedic skits, showcasing her acting talent through viral videos that captivated both audiences and industry professionals. As her number of followers grew, she used her platform to connect with industry opportunities, eventually transitioning into more serious acting roles in television and film, such as Big Shot and Treat. Her journey illustrates how TikTok can serve as a steppingstone for aspiring actors, helping them build a fanbase and gain exposure that can lead to traditional acting careers.
Another example would be the new and recent e-commerce feature, TikTok Shop. Sellers, influencers, and brands now have the ability to showcase and sell their products directly through videos, live streams, and storefronts within the app. This integration of shopping into the TikTok experience provides a unique opportunity for businesses of all sizes, especially smaller ones, to enhance their visibility and sales.
By leveraging TikTok’s viral trends, user-generated content, and influencer marketing, businesses can reach a larger audience more likely to make purchases. TikTok Shop offers a personalized shopping experience, allowing creators to promote products authentically. This e-commerce feature has not only transformed the way businesses market their products but also made it easier for users to shop in an interactive, entertainment-driven environment.
If TikTok is banned, what will take its place? Annika Song, a senior, sees a few possible replacements.
“We were talking about this during AP Gov, and most students are assuming that Instagram reels or YouTube shorts would be a substitute for TikTok,” she said. “But [a] majority of people might just download a free VPN to still use TikTok in America.”
TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are all short-form video platforms that aim to engage users with quick, entertaining content.
Though the court has made its decision, Dr. Pamela Maddock, a teacher in the History and Global Studies Department, says there is a way the app might still be on your phones next week.
“It is possible an American company will buy the social media site,” she explained.
Dr. Maddock also noted that “it’s important to note other countries have banned TikTok already. India, Belgium, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, New Zealand—these governments have banned TikTok already for these similar concerns.”
“If TikTok is banned, it would certainly be a historic limiting of free speech,” Dr. Maddock added. “The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) has called for the Supreme Court to overturn the law. And, at the same time, we could see a swift migration of content to new sites and platforms.”
