Potential US Ban Of TikTok Causes Mass Upset Among Gen Z Users

Created in September 2016, TikTok has become a worldwide sensation, bringing short-form entertainment into the mainstream. It has given people a new way of consuming media and a new resource of information, as well as giving people opportunities to make money off of videos that they create. Recently, TikTok has come under fire due to speculation that TikTok could be collecting private information off of users' devices for the Chinese Government. Because of this, TikTok has a possibility of facing a ban in the United States.

Currently, the bill on the ban of TikTok, owned by Shou Zi Chew, has been signed by President Biden, meaning TikTok is going to be banned in America in nine months unless the CEO sells the company to an American-owned business. In March 2023, Chew testified in court against the United States in regards to the attempt of banning TikTok in America, and then in January 2024, he testified again, but this time for child safety on the internet. Unfortunately for Chew, he was not successful in the court cases, failing to persuade those against him. TikTok has had an offer on the purchase of the app by Kevin O’Leary, a Canadian businessman, investor, journalist, and television personality on the popular show Shark Tank, but as of now, nothing has been confirmed. 

There is a divide in the US on whether or not TikTok should be banned. Younger Americans are most definitely concerned about the ban, as it has been a piece of entertainment and information, with sophomore Kyle Ko saying, “I’m super sad that TikTok getting banned because I’m an avid user. I really like TikTok and the fact that it is getting banned is making me upset.” Meanwhile, Older US citizens are more persuaded to ban TikTok, with many of them agreeing with the speculations about TikTok. Now Shou Zi Chew is fighting for the ban to be lifted so American citizens can continue to enjoy the popularized app for its short videos and ability to create content as a job. 

TikTok has been a source of monetization for many Americans, with it paying its eligible creators two to four cents per 1000 views. TikTok has given many people chances to make a name for themselves. The most followed American TikToker, Charli D’Amelio, with 153.9 million followers, has been a major influence on people across the world with her dance TikToks. She has been able to grow her account drastically and was the first to make it to 100 million followers on TikTok, and it has provided her and her family with major funds, earning “70 million followers in two years,” according to Forbes.com. Not only her, but thousands of people across America have been able to earn enough to make a suitable living, and TikTok continues to provide a substantial amount of money for them to live, until now. With the potential ban of TikTok, there is a chance that in nine months, those who have dedicated years to TikTok may lose their way of living, and it may and will put many out of jobs. 

Kyle said, “TikTok has allowed me to explore content that I may have never thought I would see nor enjoy, and has allowed me to see different ways people express themselves, and how their way of expression allows me to see how different people choose to go about their lives.”

As TikTok evolved and grew, there were many users who got videos of current events that are affecting the world, or even suggestions of places to visit or eat. People's options of news expand out far to other countries. 

Alvin Zhan said, “I like to watch Dylan Page as he is a great source of news for anything going on in the world.”

The news site Axios reports that ​multiple polls have found TikTok to be the top source of news for Gen Z. And, according to wisconsinwatch.org, “About 32% of U.S. adults age 18 to 29 regularly get news from TikTok, up from 9% in 2020, according to a Pew Research Center poll of U.S. adults done Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2023. Globally, 20% of 18- to 24-year-olds use TikTok for news.”

TikTok being banned would prevent a lot of people from receiving their source of news, which is one reason that makes GenZ kids more persuaded to keep TikTok. 

Soham Anavaker said, “As I tend to see a lot of my news on TikTok, I would prefer for TikTok to stay because I enjoy watching TikToks about current events rather than searching for these current events myself.”