The proposed ban on TikTok is a terrible decision that would prevent Americans from learning new ideas, earning income and simply having fun.
A bill passed through the House of Representatives in March would ban TikTok in the US unless the app is sold to a non-Chinese company within six months. The Senate has not yet voted on the bill, but President Biden has said he would sign it. FSU has already banned TikTok on university-owned devices, networks and WiFi due to cyber threats.
Banning TikTok, however, would detract from the creativity and freedom in our country. The solution to “move to another app” is simply ridiculous due to the mass appeal of TikTok. No app has ever compared to its popularity and reach.
Many are in favor of a TikTok ban due to potential security issues, as well as the increased screen time that results from using the app. TikTok’s short videos that require relatively no concentration to digest, paired with an algorithm that caters to users’ niche interests, make it difficult to put the phone down while going through TikTok rabbit holes.
I certainly spend too much time on TikTok.
I scroll mindlessly through videos at night before I fall asleep to the point that I hardly even comprehend what I watch. I am easily influenced by the creators I enjoy and have made a few mindless purchases simply because a shirt I saw in a video was cute.
Self-comparison is also a common side effect of TikTok usage due to various hidden filters and over-exposure to creators promoting unrealistic beauty standards. TikTok has inspired a plethora of random insecurities, from buccal fat to negative canthal tilts.
I am not opposed to increased regulation of TikTok in the US, and I believe implementing an age restriction for TikTok