The controversial move to ban TikTok has caused many Americans to be upset, taking place on January 19, 2025. With the majority of TikTok users in the United States being under 30 years old, this ban will cause widespread dissatisfaction among young Americans, especially since there have been numerous past threats of banning the Chinese-owned company.
As of 2024, the majority of TikTok users in the United States are young adults. Specifically, 30% of U.S. TikTok users are between the ages of 25 and 34, while 25% are between 18 and 24. This results in 55% of the platform’s users being under the age of 30, highlighting that TikTok’s user base in the U.S. is predominantly composed of young adults. As a result, many students have voiced their opinions on this significant event.
“My first thoughts were: ‘They aren’t going to do this,’ mainly because of the number of times they said they were going to ‘ban TikTok,’ which made me think they weren’t actually going to commit to it,” Michael Gonzalez (11) said. “When I found out it was taken to the Supreme Court and TikTok was actually going to get banned, I realized the number of people who would be impacted would be insane because of how many people use the app. I use it frequently myself. The fact that they are banning it seems quite dumb to me, as well as the reasons why they’re banning it. TikTok has honestly brought a lot of good into our society. While social media has its negatives, TikTok has allowed people to learn new things, meet new people, and explore diverse cultures and communities. I feel that banning TikTok is quite unnecessary and shouldn’t happen in the first place.”
TikTok plays a major role in people’s day-to-day lives, providing quick, engaging content that serves as a major form of entertainment, helping users relax and escape daily stress. The platform fosters global connections, allowing people to engage with niche communities, trends, and individuals who share common interests. TikTok is also the root of major trends in music, fashion, language, and memes in today’s society.
“I honestly use TikTok whenever I need a go-to for either cooking inspiration or to lift my mood. It brightens my day when I’m mentally exhausted or having a bad day,” Gonzalez (11) said. “Getting rid of TikTok can limit students’ ability to express themselves, which can be both positive and negative. Many people use TikTok in various ways, whether dancing in the halls or creating content. On other social media platforms like Instagram, we don’t really express ourselves as much. Almost everyone at this school has TikTok, and it’s often their primary way of expressing themselves.”
Some young adults don’t think much of the ban due to the countless threats made in previous years. However, people have other platforms to turn to if TikTok gets banned.
“I’m not really thinking too much about the banning of TikTok because they do this every year, but this time they have a set date, so I think they might be serious,” Daisha Rosboro (11) said. “The government could implement other measures instead of banning TikTok, such as increasing the age requirement and adding more security. I would be somewhat upset because I would lose a lot of my posts and saved posts, but I can always just go to Instagram Reels. However, TikTok has built many communities, especially for content creators who are successful solely on that platform. TikTok has also shaped youth culture significantly with a wide variety of trends.”
TikTok is a unique platform that prioritizes short, looping videos, making content highly engaging and easy to consume. Its powerful algorithm personalizes content based on user behavior, and its trend-driven culture makes it particularly popular among young people. These elements create a platform that feels both personal and communal, driving massive user engagement. Overall, banning TikTok would limit students’ ability to express themselves and remove a major source of entertainment. No other platform compares to its format and influence.
“If TikTok were truly banned, I would seek out other platforms such as Instagram Reels, which is nowhere near similar to TikTok,” Rosboro (11) said. “TikTok is the trend originator. Its platform gives you content based on your preferences, while Instagram Reels is more focused on entertainment and often follows TikTok’s lead rather than driving its own viral moments.”
