The popular social media app TikTok has been granted a 75-day extension on its ban, which initially took effect on the evening of January 18th.
For years, many believed a TikTok ban was unlikely. Congress has raised two primary concerns: the possibility that the Chinese government could access users’ private data and the app’s history of censorship, which aligns with Chinese interests. Consequently, Congress passed a bill requiring TikTok to be sold to an American buyer by January 19th, or it would face a ban.
TikTok paused its services in the U.S. after its parent company, ByteDance, refused to divest its ownership of the app. Shortly after the ban was announced, President Trump signaled to ByteDance that he would grant an extension period before the ban would take effect. As a result, TikTok resumed operations less than 12 hours after being shut down.
Trump fulfilled this promise by signing an executive order on his inauguration day, which provided the app with a 75-day non-enforcement period. This period allowed his administration to “pursue a resolution that protects national security while preserving a platform used by 170 million Americans.” Although TikTok remains unavailable for new users in app stores, those who have already downloaded the app can continue to use it without issues, for the time being.
Opinions have been split on the ban among users. “I’d miss it. It’s my baby. But I would move on,” said Angie Newsome, a student at WAHS. Other students insist, however, that TikTok shouldn’t be banned in the first place. “TikTok shouldn’t be banned as it’s not harmful to the community. It brings more benefits than negatives,” said Parker Envall.
Nevertheless, some students believe the ban might be a good thing for society. Oliver Clabough said, “I think that it could be good for this young and upcoming generation because we are starting to become more enclosed people and less social.” His perspective illustrates a common concern: Rather than connecting people, social media feeds isolation.
As the 75-day extension nears, the future of TikTok remains unsure. Whether TikTok is eventually banned or is allowed to remain in use, millions, including WAHS students, will be watching in suspense.
