While receiving political backlash since 2020, TikTok has faced a new bill to ban the social media app as of March 2024 effectively. If Bytedance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, refuses to sell the app to a U.S. firm in six months, then it will be banned and erased from the app store. These would come into effect after the bill has passed into law. Legislation argues that TikTok threatens the U.S.’s national security by suppressing or intensifying certain content. These issues of increasing concerns with the app have been presented throughout the years.
“There have been so many times where I thought that TikTok was getting banned,” said Junior Hayley Menjivar. “I think TikTok is such a great way to express ourselves and see what important events happen throughout the world. I really hope the Senate doesn’t follow through with the ban.”
In 2020, the U.S. government had considered banning TikTok because former president Donald Trump had privacy concerns. Similarly, the Biden Administration called upon the inspection of TikTok in case the application imposed a serious risk to personal data. Following that year, Biden signed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, and on March 17, 2023, the United States Department of Justice officially opened further investigations of TikTok. As of March 2024, Biden plans to sign the TikTok ‘ban’ if there isn’t a separation between TikTok and Bytedance.
“ I think the major negative about the bill is that the House of Representatives is more focused on dealing with TikTok rather than major issues in the U.S. today,” said Sophomore Mathious Teclay. “However, it might be beneficial to ban TikTok and it could help teenagers be more productive and active in the community.”
On the other hand, other students think that TikTok is a positive platform and should be used in moderation. “By banning TikTok, we are stopping lots of people from having a voice and expressing their opinion, “ said Freshman Natasha Savkovic. “Even though the app can spread biased information and false advertisements, any social media app can as well. That’s honestly why I believe the pros outweigh the cons tremendously.”
Overall, TikTok has opened the door to creativity and freedom of expression. Yet it’s also lacking in data protection and can be a danger to young users. At this time it is unknown if this potential ban will come into full effect following 2025.
