Over the past decade, social media has completely revolutionized how people communicate, entertain and build careers. From Facebook to Instagram, each social media platform has brought something unique to the table. However, in the past four years, TikTok has stood out in the industry, with short-form videos that capture everything from dances to recipes. Its popularity skyrocketed in 2020 during quarantine, especially with younger audiences. The start of the TikTok ban has users wondering what might happen next.
This isn’t the first time TikTok has faced the possibility of being completely banned in the U.S. In 2020, President Donald Trump attempted to ban the platform because of concerns for national security. The issue started with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, being in China. While the ban didn’t pass then, it set the stage for debates about whether TikTok threatens users’ privacy.
One of the main reasons for the current ban is TikTok’s use of user data. Critics say that TikTok collects data that could be shared with the Chinese government. Additionally, some argue that TikTok’s algorithm is harmful, especially for younger users, as it can encourage endless scrolling.
As of January 2025, TikTok has been banned in the U.S. However, this ban lasted less than 24 hours and was soon paused by President Donald Trump for 75 days. During the ban, TikTok couldn’t be used—once you opened the app it would not let you scroll. Despite this, users still had fate and did not uninstall the app, “I didn’t think [TikTok] was going to get banned,” Jaxon Green said, “I thought it was going to be unbanned within a couple days so I kept it.” Before the outage, many users posted a video of them admitting to a secret using a trending audio.
Once the 75-day ban extension runs out, the effects will be noticed even outside the U.S. Many creators, influencers and small businesses rely on TikTok and the newly added TikTok shop as a platform to reach their audience and generate income.
“TikTok is a source of people’s businesses and how they make money,” Devin Norono said.
Without TikTok, influencers may struggle to rebuild their following on other platforms. For regular users, alternative platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts may work to keep them entertained after the loss of TikTok.
“[If TikTok gets banned] I will probably just use Instagram Reels,” Luke Aguilar said
However, not everyone sees the ban as fully negative. Some users believe the app’s ban could help them limit time spent on their phones. On the other hand, users like Angelina Nguyen feel TikTok has had a positive impact.
“[TikTok] changed my life,” Angelina Nguyen said. “[It has shown me] a lot of new music and a lot of new ideas.”
While TikTok’s future remains unclear, its impact on social media and culture is massive. Whether it’s banned or sold to another company, TikTok has shaped the way people create and consume content. As the ban commences, one thing is clear: social media will keep evolving, with or without TikTok leading the way.
by MATVEY YAZKOV & JACOB CASETTA