What did 15 hours without TikTok show Americans (and the rest of the world)?-Eri S
Many of us are likely aware of the temporary TikTok ban in America that began on the 18th of January and ended on the 19th of January. For those who missed it, the ban stated that American users would be unable to access their accounts or the app as a whole. When users tried to log in, they were met with the following notice:
This wasn’t originally intended to be temporary; in fact, many believed it would be permanent. The uncertainty created a wave of panic, leading users to flock to alternative platforms like Red Note and Lemon8.
The 15-hour removal of TikTok made me think about several things. On one hand, it highlighted the platform’s influence on modern communication and creativity. TikTok has become a cornerstone for trends, ideas, and cultural exchange, influencing industries ranging from publishing to cosmetics. On the other hand, it emphasised just how vulnerable the careers of influencers and content creators are to forces beyond their control.
The fallout from the ban was immediate and emotional. We witnessed breakdowns online, perhaps most notably James Charles, a famous makeup artist, who sobbed in a video as he mourned TikTok’s apparent demise. We even witnessed influencers revealing the truth behind their curated online personas. Fitness influencers admitted they never actually performed the exercises they encouraged their audiences to follow, while “restockers” confessed that their excessive collections of ice cube trays and other items were staged purely for views. Most of us of course knew this but it still came across as betrayal that they would knowing defraud their audience and admit when they believe they will be no repercussions. Even casual users took to their accounts with tear-stained faces, lamenting how losing the app felt like losing an integral part of their lives. While other platforms like Instagram and YouTube remained available, TikTok’s unique emotional pull caused widespread panic. As I spoke and giggled at these reactions with my friends, one thought lingered in my mind: How dystopian.
The temporary removal of TikTok earlier this year rekindled memories of President Donald Trump’s attempts to ban the app during his administration. In 2020, Trump cited national security concerns as the primary reason for targeting TikTok, arguing that its Chinese ownership was a risk to American user data. Trump’s belief was that ByteDance ,the parent company for TikTok, might share user data with the Chinese government, compromising U.S. national security. Despite this, President Trump is supposed to have a pivotal role in TikTok’s reinstatement, even being mentioned in the notice was the app became available once again.
TikTok’s influence cannot be understated. It’s a platform that controls industries and shapes global culture. We’ve all seen the rise of BookTok, which has rejuvenated interest in reading while providing authors with a new avenue for success. Books now even sport “Recommended by BookTok” stickers in bookstores. Similarly, the makeup industry has been revolutionized by MakeupTok, driving trends and sales in ways previously unimaginable. TikTok’s reach is deep and pervasive, intertwining with the daily lives of its users in a way that few other platforms have achieved.
Despite this, the ban forced us to confront some uncomfortable truths. For one, it exposed the fragility of digital-based careers. Influencers and content creators, who rely on the platform for income and relevance, were suddenly faced with the possibility of losing their livelihoods overnight. How sustainable is it to build a career on a single app that could be taken away at any moment?
I don’t have a TikTok account myself, but I’d be a hypocrite to suggest people should abandon the app altogether. I’m guilty of peeking over my friends’ shoulders as they scroll through their FYP, and I’ve spent time watching videos dissecting random TikTok drama. There’s no shame in enjoying the app, but the ban has left me wondering: How will we use TikTok moving forward?
Will the app become a platform for more political discourse? Will aspiring influencers rethink their career paths, knowing how easily such opportunities can vanish? The answers to these questions remain unclear. Only time will tell how this brief hiatus will shape the future of TikTok and its users.
For now, we’re left to reflect on a world where a 15-hour absence of an app could cause such widespread panic. It’s a testament to TikTok’s power—and a warning about our collective dependence on it.
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