Back in April 2024, discussions surrounding TikTok turned into a heated debate. Lawmakers have been pushing for a TikTok ban across the US, which could go into effect as soon as January 19th, 2025. Time is ticking for this popular app. Unless the Chinese-owned company agrees to sell it and can find a willing buyer, TikTok will likely be banned in the US.
Why is this a big deal? According to the Pew Research Center, 150 million Americans, and 63% of teens, use TikTok. This app has had a significant influence on American society.
The US Government is worried about user-sensitive data being monitored by the Chinese government due to alleged connections with the Bytedance Company and the Chinese government. Another concern is the spread of misinformation across the platform ready to be consumed by millions of Americans.
Banning the TikTok app will not solve the problems of security on social media. If you’re on any social media platform, the platform is likely collecting some type of data. Apps such as Facebook and Instagram use surveillance and behavioral advertising to advertise specific content to users. These companies don’t just stop there, they often follow users outside of their apps into other websites in order to collect more data.
A major concern for the US government is the spreading of misinformation on TikTok. Even though TikTok has vowed in the past to protect its users from false information during the election, this promise was not upheld, with the surge in political ads containing this misinformation.
While privacy is the top priority for lawmakers, another major concern is teenagers’ social media usage. According to the American Psychological Association, US teens spend 5 hours a day on social media. This epidemic has been plaguing young people for years. According to the National Library of Medicine, since the Covid pandemic, social media usage has risen 20%. Today, it’s vital that we control and restrict our social media use. Unfortunately, the deletion of TikTok won’t solve this issue. TikTok is one of the many social media platforms that get people addicted to. Apps like Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, have also seen an increase in usage in recent years.
Many Americans are upset with the government’s firm stance on the TikTok ban. This ban won’t only affect the influencers on the app; it will also impact small-business owners who have taken advantage of TikTok’s popularity to grow their business. According to the Washington Post, in 2023, TikTok contributed $14.7 billion to small business owners’ revenue. This app made a huge impact in different communities; it’s not just an app, but a way to connect.
TikTok is not perfect and could stand to improve its privacy policies, but so are other apps. Due to the platform’s social and economic impact, lawmakers should instead focus on regulating all social media apps instead of banning one.
Removing TikTok won’t stop other foreign or American platforms from stealing user data. If this app is deleted, it won’t be the end of the world for its users, however, either way there should be new regulations put in place to protect the American people.
Whether or not someone in Montana or New Jersey can download the TikTok app to their phone in a few months, the concern for user safety should continue. American people deserve privacy and protection as we live in this digital age.
