As someone who uses TikTok for at least an hour a day, I don't support the recent ban bill passed by Congress. I mean, imagine not being able to scroll on your for you page for hours before going to bed. Besides that, TikTok is a platform where a diverse group of individuals can come together and connect. But unfortunately, this bipartisan bill limits much more.

Many people today call TikTok the Google of Gen Z because we use this app for information, such as recipes for the Dubai chocolate bar (personally, I don't get the hype) and current worldwide events. But what exactly are the impacts that banning TikTok will have on us?

Jobs

TikTok has become more than just a social media platform for entertainment. It's an app where people from across the globe can create videos to earn an income. Through brand partnerships, marketing, or the TikTok Creator Fund, many influencers rely solely on TikTok for their jobs. If TikTok were to be banned, many Americans would lose their main source of income, shutting many doors to success.

Small Businesses

Small business owners across the U.S.A. use TikTok as a platform to increase their sales. A combined report from Oxford Economics and TikTok stated that over 7 million small businesses use the app to market their products. People create content showcasing their products and post it on the app, hoping it will go viral and gain attention.

Specifically, it has allowed business owners to reach a young audience by posting engaging videos to attract new customers. They wouldn't have been able to connect with this audience without their marketing efforts on the app. Some creators have reported that half of their revenues and orders come from their content on TikTok. Banning this app would definitely cause many businesses to shut down due to the loss of orders.

Influencers & Content Creators

Today, many people have turned to TikTok as their primary "9-5" job. An example is Hayley Baylee, who was originally on track to becoming a medical student. However, when she became a model and went viral on TikTok, she decided to switch to being a full-time influencer. Not only would people who are currently full-time influencers lose their jobs, but those who use TikTok as either a side income or a backup plan would also be affected if the app were to be removed.

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Freedom of Expression

The First Amendment explains that Congress cannot make any law that may restrict freedom of speech and expression. But isn't that exactly what this bill does? TikTok is a network where people across the world can come on and be heard or speak about their opinions and ideas.

Banning this app would eliminate a place for speech, contradicting the principles of the First Amendment. People use this platform to express themselves, and removing it could make them feel trapped due to the inability to voice their thoughts.

Information

When I need outfit inspo or good websites to order from I go to my for you page instead of Google or Safari, and I'm likely not the only one. The fact that many teenagers and kids across America rely on TikTok for information on various topics proves its impact on us today. Kids from elementary to college use this app to help them with their classwork or even for tech advice, but either way, we use it more than we think.

Removing this platform would restrict our access to other's thoughts, ideas, and opinions. Additionally, viewing issues from different perspectives can increase social awareness, reduce bias, and resolve conflicts. By watching creators' videos, people can do exactly that.

Not only this, but they would also be able to learn ways they can contribute to donation efforts. Many organizations use the platform to advocate and increase awareness about their cause. TikTok is particularly useful because it allows them to reach a younger audience and educate children on becoming more involved from an early age.

Connection

Many people who don't have TikTok may experience FOMO (fear of missing out). My friends who don't have the app get a bit confused when I refer to a meme or trend that's on everyone's For You Page. The fact is that we use viral trends and sounds that foster a sense of community among users on the platform.

It can be a supportive, educational, and global community where people can learn and get support from others. For example, many teen moms share their stories on TikTok and how they overcame their struggles, hoping to help other teen moms going through the same thing. Videos like these build a supportive community within the app where people feel comfortable sharing their personal experiences to get advice or to help others. Removing this could cause teens to feel more anxious about their situation and would break the connection between them.

Personally, without TikTok, I would feel disconnected from the world and many others would feel the same. Without these videos that we relate to, repost, like, and comment on, we may lose our way of staying in touch with acquaintances and friends who are far away from us. TikTok was especially useful during COVID-19 when everyone was at home 24/7, interacting with the outside world from the confines of their bed and house.

Conclusion

Whether you use TikTok as a place to pass the time or to learn about different events and cultures worldwide, it's a platform for us to connect with people of different backgrounds and increase our knowledge.

But why is the government focusing on the “issue” of TikTok when there are much more serious problems occurring within the USA? Concerns such as the climate crisis, immigration policies, energy, and the economy need more attention in Congress. We should be focusing on a bill that will combat these recurring issues rather than banning an app that benefits a large majority of people.

Whether you're a teen using the app for entertainment or a business owner, removing this app will impact your everyday life.