The government is considering the ban on TikTok due to concerns on data privacy. These decisions will impact the 170 million users all around the U.S.
The U.S. government argues that TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, poses a national security risk. Officials fear that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government, raising concerns over digital privacy and foreign influence. TikTok bans have already been enforced in some other countries such as India, Afghanistan, Netherlands, and some more. The ban and other misinformation will impact young users negatively. When asked “what do you think about the TikTok ban that the government is thinking about?”, Giselle Hernandez, A junior at ELARA responded “I think it’s really bad because people use it to socialize with others which is good.”
The potential ban of TikTok has impacted students at East Los Angeles Renaissance academy. Many students use this app to express creativity, socialize, and get information. The government is arguing that banning the app will protect data, however, users are worried about losing an important platform that helps them stay connected with people. This ban will pose negative effects on students and TikTok users. When asked “how will this affect you positively or negatively?” Fatima Neri-Javana, a junior at ELARA stated, “It will affect me negatively because I would have to find other apps like instagram and YouTube shorts which are not the same as TikTok.”
A 2024 Pew Research study found that 67% of U.S. teenagers use TikTok regularly, with many relying on the platform for creative expression, small business promotion, and advocacy. The potential ban could disrupt young entrepreneurs who use TikTok to market products, as well as activists who use it to spread awareness on social issues. The ban could negatively affect the mental health of teenagers who rely on TikTok. Without the access to TikTok in the U.S., many teenagers will lose good opportunities for promotions or being entrepreneurs. On January 18, 2025, TikTok was briefly banned in the U.S. after a government mandate. However, due to immediate backlash and potential legal challenges, the app was reinstated within 24 hours. The administration continues to debate whether TikTok should face stricter regulations or a complete ban.
While students largely oppose the ban, some parents and educators see it as a potential positive change. Critics argue that TikTok’s algorithm promotes addictive scrolling, shortens attention spans, and exposes teens to misinformation. A 2023 study found that 58% of teens say they struggle with limiting their screen time on TikTok, which raises concer
ns about its long-term impact on mental health and academic focus. They believe that the ban will reduce the distractions and help the well-being of students.
The concerns over data privacy on TikTok have been spreading through different countries throughout the years. In 2020, India was the first country to ban TikTok due to security risks. The U.S government has been attempting to ban TikTok, as former President Trump issued an executive order on it. States and the government have tried prohibiting the app due to data access and security concerns. This also caused many TikTok users to move to a similar app called Rednote as they seek for something to switch to after the bans take action. After the ban on January 18, some deleted the TikTok app, causing them to not be able to gain access to the app again as it cannot be found in the App Store.
People online have made petitions to sign in hopes to stop the ban of TikTok. Many users are discussing the government’s decisions and are preparing themselves for when the time comes. Although TikTok came back after the first ban attempt, many are still staying aware in case of this situation happening again. It is important to keep up with the news and executive orders that are being made to be updated.
To students at ELARA and teenagers all over the U.S., TikTok is not just an app and the ban is not just a policy debate. It impacts the users who use the platform to connect, express creativity, and have opportunities. From the discussions of these bans, many are now more aware and are trying to stay informed on any new news on this topic.