In the early weeks of 2025, 170 million American TikTok users questioned the fate of the platform that had become a prominent and habitual part of their daily lives. While a ban on TikTok had been threatened before, the government handled this situation with a new level of severity, the case even reaching the Supreme Court. The proposed ban was in response to Congress passing new legislation dictating that social media platforms must be owned by a government-approved buyer due to the concern of data being stolen. On the night of January 18, TikTok users around the U.S. received a notification from TikTok stating that they would no longer have access to the platform. Not even 12 hours later, those same people received a message informing them that TikTok was back and creating widespread confusion. Whether or not the platform will remain accessible or not is up in the air as of now. However, the situation begs the question: what would life be like without TikTok?
One important benefit that would come from a ban is the extra level of security provided by the fact that the owners and creators of TikTok would no longer be able to gather data on what Americans are watching or sway their opinions through the videos they receive. In an article by Britannica, the editors of ProCon noted, “Regulators around the world have expressed privacy, safety, and security concerns about TikTok.” U.S. government officials have indicated that their worries revolve around the allegations that TikTok employees inappropriately accessed American journalists’ data and were spying on those journalists for the Chinese government. With a ban on the platform, these concerns would no longer exist, allowing Americans to worry about pressing issues within their own country.
Another potentially positive outcome of a TikTok ban is an improvement in the attention span of the population. With TikTok videos being roughly 30 seconds each, people have grown used to entertainment requiring less and less of their focus. This makes it difficult for avid TikTok users to sit down and read a book or watch a movie for a long period of time. Without access to TikTok, these people would be forced to find another leisurely activity that does not involve mindlessly scrolling. Over time, their attention span would increase, which could be applied to other aspects of life such as lengthy lessons at school or learning a new and difficult skill.
On the other hand, many small businesses have found success through TikTok, making their brand known and allowing people to purchase items directly through TikTok. These businesses might struggle without access to their primary advertising platform and would be forced to find a suitable alternative: a task that is easier said than done. Similarly, content creators who have found fame and success through the app have developed a skill set that may not translate to another social media platform. In the weeks following a ban, these creators’ incomes would begin to decrease and they would have to find a way to earn money that does not involve TikTok.
Finally, communities and bonds that have been established through TikTok would cease to exist. Many Americans connected with people who share a niche interest or a common belief, kickstarting a relationship that would not have existed without the app. Since the app’s creation, large populations of users have come together or shared a laugh over the widespread trends circulating the platform. The fact that everyone watches the same videos and receives the same information creates an almost indescribable sense of unity, especially among teens. Teenagers often feel stuck in an awkward stage of their life and may struggle to form connections on their own. With the shared experience of TikTok, many teenagers enjoy a built-in platform that can be discussed and bonded over. Without access to the app, those same people would be forced to make conversations regarding other topics not derived from a screen, an outcome of a ban which may or may not be a bad thing.
To conclude, whether or not TikTok will end up banned in the next year is anyone’s guess at this point in time. Those who did not have TikTok on their phone prior to the short-lived ban are no longer able to download it. Seemingly everyone else has access to the platform, which has left many users confused and created numerous unanswered questions. Only time will tell how this unexpected occurrence will really impact our society, whether it is for better or for worse.
