For years there has been talk of the social media app TikTok getting banned, but this time around it was for real.
Around 8:30 pm on Saturday, 1-18, a pop up for U.S. users appeared explaining that the app was no longer available in the country. Efforts to ban TikTok in the United States have been driven by concerns about the app like security and privacy.
Sophomore Abbie Metge said, “I think it’s dumb because there’s bigger problems going on.” Many users in America agreed that the ban was more annoying than anything else; however, the U.S. servers were back up within 14 hours after the initial shut down.
During the 14 hour shutdown, people resorted to new ways of entertainment. Some people started new art projects or thought about getting a job with their new free time. Others resorted to new apps like “Xiaohongshu”, a Chinese version of TikTok more commonly known as RedNote. “It was weird being on Chinese TikTok because normally we aren’t the foreigners, but on there we were. I’m glad it’s back and that we got our 90 day extension. A lot of people have TikTok as a source of income. I do wonder what life could be like without it,” said junior Gabriel Henrie.
Henrie brings up a very good point, though. Many people use the app to make money. From influencers to college students, the little bit of extra money made from the app can be enough to pay for groceries or rent that month. In this economy that could mean being able to get by a little easier than living paycheck to paycheck.
Social media apps, like TikTok, impact the U.S. economy as a whole. Trends like the cucumber salad or whipped coffee can have grocery stores across the country selling out of those products. TikTok also helped businesses like Barnes & Noble stay afloat and even thrive after Covid. It has also been a great way for underground and upcoming artist and business owners gain traction.
Although the app can have a positive impact like getting unbiased news at a quick rate, it has also helped fuel phone and social media addictions in not only the younger generations but also in adults. The short ban had people calling emergency phone lines like 911 to do wellness checks on their friends and families or even on themselves. Junior Vanna Bazil said, “I think it’s funny because people were making such a big deal about it when it just came right back.”
For now, TikTok is still available in the U.S. The app cannot be download, but if it was previously downloaded it can still use it.
President Trump has set a 90 day extension into place to figure out how to keep the app up and running for U.S. users. “I’m happy that trump stepped in and gave an extension on the ban. Before they think about banning TikTok again, though, they should think about banning snapchat and other location sharing apps, but if it [TikTok] stays gone, I think I will be off my phone a lot more,” sophomore Jillian Jackson said.
