Tick,Tock, Tiktok

Isabella Attallah • May 23, 2025

Since its release in September 2016, the social media platform TikTok has claimed 170 million users in the United States alone and over one billion worldwide (SCOTUS). With its numerous viral short-form videos and popular trends, the app has resonated deeply with the younger community and has cemented itself as a cultural phenomenon. However, with a permanent nationwide ban threatening the platform and the interests of its parent company, Bytedance, many have questioned whether this safety restriction would violate their right to free speech. Ultimately, banning TikTok does not violate any Americans’ constitutional rights because other platforms exist which offer the same freedom of expression that TikTok offers; additionally, a ban would eradicate any potential risks that the Chinese-owned company would pose to the U.S. government. Additionally, TikTok has a negative impact on its user’s mental health and has an online shop that sells unregulated goods.

On March 23, 2023, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attended a congressional hearing during which he defended himself while TikTok after senators grilled him about the safety of his app. The main concerns that arose concerned TikTok’s affiliation with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the data privacy of American users. When asked if TikTok or Bytedance shared citizen’s data with the CCP, Chew was unable to give a straight answer and dodged the question. Later in the hearing, one congressman revealed that if China’s intelligence agency, the Ministry of State Security, called upon TikTok or Bytedance to share the data of its users, they would be forced to cooperate. The congressman also revealed that the Chief Editor of Bytedance is the Secretary of the CCP (ABC News). To allay fears of Chinese manipulation, Chew claimed that TikTok is starting on a potential solution to the issue of data privacy and user security called Project Texas. He said that it would act as a firewall to store U.S. user data domestically, while being managed by American personnel. TikTok claims to have spent billions of dollars on this project. However, the problem that lawmakers have with this, is that it is still incomplete, and China still has access to U.S. data as it did for years past (Texas Standard).

“I [believe] that TikTok is collecting its users’ data,” senior Isabella Murillo said. “[Although] it may not be necessarily for the Chinese government, [it is] still a risk to U.S. [citizens] and [some precautions] should be taken.”

On Jan. 17, the Supreme Court made the decision to ban the app on Jan. 19 unless it was sold to a U.S. company (AP News). TikTok initially challenged the ban, saying it violated the First Amendment which was rejected (CBS News). Bytedance did not meet the two-day deadline, and TikTok went dark on January 18, though it was only for twelve hours (BBC News). Regardless of whether a ban will be reinstituted, TikTok users would still have access to other platforms such as Instagram, X and Facebook that they can use in lieu of the app. This way, the ban would not violate the free speech of its users.

TikTok also has a negative impact on its users’ mental health. The minimum age to open an account on the platform is only twelve and a half years old, which risks increasing the user’s exposure to social media and starting early addictions (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance).

“Many people in the U.S. are addicted to TikTok,” freshman Amira Madhyasta said. “It is their main source of entertainment. [If it were to be banned], they would get very bored. [However], a ban would improve their daily lives and mental health.”

Additionally, TikTok has its own e-commerce shop that allows users to buy and sell products on the platform. However, these are high-risk items from unverified sellers and are most likely cheap knockoffs of the real product (The Washington Post). Instagram also has its own e-commerce site, but it is safer than TikTok as it has more credibility. Additionally the transactions are completed through the app instead of going to the seller’s third party site (The Washington Post).

“I think a ban on TikTok [could] negatively affect small businesses [who rely on it] to have their business noticed,” freshman Lilith Stine said. “The small businesses use it for advertising and put out links to their establishments for people to be interested in them. [Also], [it is] easier to advertise on TikTok than some other platforms.”

Overall, TikTok poses too many threats to American citizens. The popular social media platform has dangerous ties to the Chinese government and Communist Party. It has a negative impact on the mental health of its users and a risky online shop. Also, a ban would not violate First Amendment rights, as other American social media platforms can make up for the void created by TikTok’s exit. It’s time to take a step forward in the right direction.