TikTok: Safe for Now

TikTok has become a cultural juggernaut and redefined how we create, share, and consume media. From viral dances to grassroots activism, TikTok offers a creative outlet and sense of community that spans generations. Despite its popularity, governmental calls to ban TikTok have grown louder, fueled by concerns over national security, data privacy, and the spread of misinformation and propaganda. In 2024, Congress passed a bill mandating that TikTok be sold to a domestic owner in a “qualified divestiture” by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. After its appeal to the Supreme Court failed, TikTok opted for the latter option, to the dismay of its users. However, on January 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with the law. Trump expressed a desire to negotiate a more lenient agreement, saying “Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it,” prior to his inauguration. This decision underscores the high stakes surrounding TikTok’s presence in the U.S., as well as the government’s role in regulating foreign-owned digital platforms. 

Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has captivated millions—particularly younger audiences. It’s more than just an entertainment platform; it’s a hub for learning, self-expression, advocacy, and community. Users share everything from study hacks and mental health tips to relatable personal stories—all of which nurture a digital space for authenticity to thrive. TikTok’s innovative algorithm has democratized content discovery by prioritizing videos that cater to viewers’ interests rather than video popularity, turning otherwise niche creators into overnight global sensations. Additionally, many content creators have used TikTok as a means of income, and small businesses rely on TikTok for outreach and advertisement. For many, the platform has become an invaluable tool for entrepreneurship and a means of subsistence. 

TikTok also amplifies voices of marginalized groups, challenges stereotypes, and drives social change. Movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo gained momentum and evolved on the platform through short videos of personal experiences, educational lessons, and calls for grassroots protests. For example, TikTok creators played a crucial role in organizing nationwide demonstrations and spreading informational content about racial inequality during the summer of 2020. Beyond social and political activism, TikTok’s contributions to mental health advocacy have created a supportive digital environment where users can share struggles and coping strategies. It’s a space where diverse perspectives can flourish, making it an essential medium for idea exchange in a democratic society. 

However, reasons to ban the app stemmed from concerns about data misuse, espionage, and propaganda. In addition, TikTok’s addictive design, capacity for spreading misinformation, and negative impacts on mental health raise further alarm. While these issues warrant scrutiny, such problems are not unique to TikTok. Data privacy concerns are endemic to all social media platforms. Instagram, X, and other American-based companies collect extensive user information, often without transparent consent. Facebook, a social media platform with a presence just as far-reaching as TikTok, has had numerous data leaks and privacy concerns. Additionally, concerns over the use of TikTok to spread propaganda overlook the abundance of political propaganda on platforms like Facebook and X. At the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war, Russian and far-right propaganda was not removed from many other social media platforms. All platforms, including TikTok, can be detrimental to mental health. The addictive nature of social media and the spread of misinformation are systemic problems in the digital age and are not exclusive to one app. Singling out TikTok ignores a broader need for comprehensive regulation across the entire tech industry.

While many cite concerns over TikTok’s widespread presence in America, the push to ban TikTok was heavily influenced by its status as a foreign app; TikTok is owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance. Since many of the reasons to ban TikTok can be applied to social media in general, there arises a question of whether the ban was driven more by political tensions than genuine consumer protection. The government’s forceful intervention on TikTok’s existence also begs the question of whether the government is overstepping its influence. While ByteDance’s association with China warrants caution, domestic tech giants have been equally, if not more, problematic—Facebook shares user data with Chinese companies. The focus on TikTok seems to primarily be about its role as a competitor to American tech companies and as a medium of free expression that the government cannot police. 

Although the immediate threat of a ban has been delayed, this debate is far from over. The ban going into effect remains a looming possibility, particularly as political tensions with China persist. Moreover, future administrations or shifts in congressional leadership could revive efforts to remove TikTok, especially if concerns about national security escalate. The upcoming 2026 midterms may also influence policy decisions, as lawmakers could leverage anti-TikTok sentiment to appeal to voters wary of foreign influence in digital spaces. Ultimately, ongoing skepticism suggests that TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. However, ban or no ban, scrutinizing TikTok alone fails to address the nuanced problems present in social media as a whole. It is clear that President Trump’s delay of the ban was a political move, undertaken in order to garner support from younger Americans. Though the ban’s reversal was an important step, we must use this moment to reflect on social media’s place in society. Neither a ban nor a restructuring of ownership of a single platform will genuinely improve the larger issue as intended; unless the Trump administration goes further than just banning TikTok, nothing will change.

 Instead of banning TikTok, policymakers should advocate for measures that address systemic challenges across all platforms. Transparency agreements could require companies to disclose how data is collected, stored, and shared. Stricter privacy laws could ensure accountability while maintaining user trust. Localized ownership models—where foreign companies establish independent operations within the country—could mitigate national security concerns. TikTok, for instance, could comply with the law from Congress to create a U.S.-based subsidiary to oversee data management and follow domestic regulations. Finally, investing in digital literacy programs would empower users to navigate online spaces critically and responsibly, reducing the spread of misinformation and fostering a more informed public.

The attempt to ban TikTok highlights the need for more thoughtful, long-term solutions in digital governance. While alternatives to TikTok do exist, targeting one platform under the guise of national security raises concerns about potential government overreach. If TikTok had been banned, what would have stopped similar justifications to silence other platforms? Rather than resorting to censorship, we should focus on crafting policies that balance security with freedom, ensuring that user data is protected while preserving platforms for creativity and connection. TikTok represents more than just an app—it’s a testament to how technology can bridge divides and bring people together. Instead of shutting it down, we should strive for a future where innovation and accountability coexist.