Is banning TikTok the solution, or are we missing the bigger picture? The issue is not just one app, it’s about how all social media platforms handle our data. Instead of singling out TikTok, we should focus on creating stronger privacy laws to protect users across all platforms.
When I opened the TikTok app on the evening of Jan. 18, I was expecting to have my last few hours of scrolling or posting my favorite draft videos. Instead, I received this response: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
At that moment, reality hit me. TikTok, the app I had spent countless hours on, and learned so much on, suddenly logged me out — not because of a glitch, but because of a sweeping law. It made me feel disconnected from the online world, raising questions in my mind. Was this ban really about protecting my data? Or was it something deeper? And if TikTok could be shut down overnight, what does it mean for the future of digital freedom and say about how lawmakers can’t handle and protect privacy better?
From what I know, the U.S. Congress claims that banning TikTok is for citizens’ good, and the Chinese government uses this app to spy on U.S. citizens. But if that’s the case, why haven’t other Chinese social media apps been banned as well?
TikTok isn’t just an app used for entertainment, it’s a way for people to be heard and seen. Especially for small businesses, it has been a means of growth and connection with customers all over. As of today, TikTok has 170 million users and 7 million of them are business owners.
TikTok played an important role in the success of Guiliano Raso’s business, a food truck named 303 in the Cut.
“TikTok changed our entire business, changed my life,” Raso said.
His food truck offers a menu of American classics, with four main dishes and three desserts. For two years Raso’s business was steady with few customers stopping by. But now he achieved his dream and opened a second location.
“About two years ago, a video went viral. We blew up overnight,” Raso said. “We went from three employees and my parents helping to eleven, having lines every night from the minute we opened to the minute we closed for almost two years straight.”
But with a possible TikTok ban, what would happen to influencers and small business owners who rely on the platform to make a living? Many content creators earn their salaries through brand partnerships, sponsored posts and product promotions on TikTok. As the BBC reported, “The app has become a key revenue stream for influencers, who might lose their primary income source if TikTok is no longer available.” But if the app is banned, more than 7 million face a loss of income and exposure. The impact of this ban would extend beyond just entertainment or privacy concerns — it would disrupt the livelihoods of countless people who rely on TikTok.
For me, TikTok is more than an app, it’s become a part of my daily life and a place where I learn. I’ve turned to it for so many reasons. Whenever I have a question or need advice, I search TikTok, and the creators there would always help. Whether it’s tips for my workouts or ideas for improving myself, this platform is not just entertainment, it’s a tool for learning and growing. A lot of people like me are relying on TikTok for a lot of things.
If TikTok were banned, we would be left feeling confused and lost, not knowing where else to turn for help. What other app could fill that space? Would they have the same creators and would they offer useful tips and advice like TikTok does? I understand that members of Congress are worried about privacy, but as a regular TikTok user, I haven’t seen anything that would make me feel unsafe or concerned that my privacy is at risk. We, as users, trust the app to share information, learn new things and even grow our businesses. Instead of focusing on banning TikTok, we should be thinking about stronger privacy laws that protect all users across social media platforms.
Shutting down one app may seem like a quick solution, but it would leave millions of people, like me, without a valuable resource that has helped us. Instead of taking away what we use and trust, let’s work on ways to make sure our data is safe while keeping the platforms that millions of people depend on. Privacy protection is important, but so is the freedom to continue using these platforms in a safe and informed way.