TikTok, the most used social media app to date. TikTok is an app that uses AI technology to analyze its users’ patterns in order to cater to their interests and keep them engaged. In America alone, TikTok has roughly 5 million users that use TikTok as their source of income. So when the American Congress proposed a bill to ban the mega-popular app, it was met with a lot of backlash. Let’s get into it.
What is TikTok, Really?
TikTok, released in September 2016, is a social media app that uses different media to connect and entertain its users. TikTok uses videos ranging from 15 seconds to 10 minutes as its main form of content. This content in itself varies like crazy. A user can watch animated cartoons to live-action “GRWM”. TikTok creators have the ability to “Duet” other creators videos, go on Live Streams, and even link their personal businesses through the “TikTok Shop”. It is a revolutionary app in many ways.
Why Would the American Congress Ban TikTok?
Isn’t that the question we all have. TikTok accounts for 5 million Americans’ salaries. It pays their bills and keeps people entertained. Why would this be a bad thing? Well, no good can come from it. The main concern brought up in relation to the app from Congress is that of “National Security Concern”. Essentially, American politicians are concerned that the Chinese owned app is stealing American user data and information. If ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, sells the app to American shareholders, then TikTok can remain. Otherwise, the app is banned in the US.
And This is Why a Ban Would Be Ill Advised.
A ban would be, for a lack of better wording, stupid. A GDP report released by TikTok within the last few days shows the full impact the ban would have on the American economy. “Authored by Oxford Economics, the commissioned study claims TikTok drove $14.7 billion in revenue in a dozen key sectors in the US economy and contributed $24.2 billion to overall GDP in 2023.” (Yahoo Finance). That IS economical impact alone is insane, much less the overall impact in the GDP. Economically, socially, and rationally, this is a poor decision from the American Congress.
In conclusion, a TikTok ban would be poorly received in America for her citizens and her economy. TikTok, despite its connotation, is an insanely successful app that gives a lot of Americans a job. A salary. So, that’s it. I’ve explained what the app is, why Congress wants to ban it, and why this is a horrible idea. That’s all for this week, Folks. Peace Out.
