TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps as of 2025, not only amongst teenagers. Over the past almost 10 years of TikTok, people have built careers and businesses that have flourished because of the app. Some adults believe that TikTok is silly, dumb, and only distracts their kids or peers, but to many people, it is far from that. TikTok has brought communities together, created safe places for many, and has influenced and inspired many people to branch out. People have turned to TikTok as a secondhand Google, to find recipes, outfit inspiration, gift ideas, basic questions, to find things they connect with, and more.
On the other hand, it could pose a serious national security threat. As of now, TikTok is set to be banned in the United States on January 19th, 2025. A new law was passed with bipartisan support that would ban TikTok unless it is sold by January 19th. The United States government worries that the Chinese government could access Americans’ data through TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. In previous years, there have been rumors or talk that TikTok would be banned, but due to the ban never actually going through, people still don’t believe it will be gone this time. On January 10th, the Supreme Court started to hear arguments regarding whether or not a law requiring TikTok to face ban, or be sold in the US is against the First Amendment.
There is not an absolute answer on whether or not TikTok will be gone in the United States by Sunday, and we won’t know until the Supreme Court calls an official ruling. Though this time, the ban is most likely going through since ByteDance is currently not willing to sell off to a US operation by January 19th.
Though many people are sad to see an app that brings so many together go, many people have a positive outlook on it. Being so attached to an app that at some points reflects negativity, or hatred can affect people’s mental health. Comparing your life or position to others who may live life in a “better” way than you can strip away what you once loved. While it is disappointing to see an app that many people rely on to cheer them up disappear, the ban may be a good thing. People can focus on what is in front of them, connect with people around them and form more reliable relationships, and discover what they truly love without opinions bashing them from an opposing side.
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