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TikTok faces US ban amid security concerns, Impact on youth
In the digital age, social media has many benefits and downsides as well. Research suggests that excessive time spent on social media has a direct impact on our mental and physical health. Social media is specifically designed to trigger the reward mechanism in our brain, making it very easy to form some degree of dependence. That’s why we sometimes feel a strong urge to pick up the phone and check our socials, the same way a smoker craves tobacco.
In April 2024, the US Congress has approved a law that could potentially lead to a ban on TikTok in the country. This legislation was passed amidst growing concerns on Chinese influence and the impact of social media on young people. Under the law, TikTok parent company ByteDance has two options: either sell TikTok to an approved US firm within nine months, or face a potential ban in the country. Unsurprisingly, TikTok pushed back and will challenge the law in court.
On Jan. 18, 2025, TikTok has gone dark in the US just hours before a new law banning the platform was set to take effect. A message appearing on the app for US users said a law banning TikTok had been enacted. This comes after TikTok prepared to shut down in the US on Jan. 19 if a reprieve didn’t arrive in time. There’s still some hope though. President Donald Trump has said he’s willing to give TikTok a 3-month break from the ban hammer once he takes office.
The following day (Jan. 19), after going dark for US users, TikTok was back online in the United States, crediting its return to President Donald Trump. A message appeared on the app welcoming users back to the platform, stating, “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US!” The Supreme Court upheld the law, but Trump then issued an executive order to halt enforcement of the law for 75 days.
While this reprieve is certainly welcome news for TikTok users, the long-term fate of the app in the US remains unclear. The law that led to the ban required ByteDance to sell the US version of TikTok to an American company or face a permanent ban. The deadline was set for January 19. The app was also removed from the Apple and Google Play stores, along with Lemon8 and CapCut, which are also owned by TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance. TikTok has over 170 million users in the US, making this temporary ban a significant disruption for many.
The US Justice Department has maintained that Chinese control of TikTok poses a continuing threat to national security. In the Philippines, similar concerns led to discussions of a potential ban in 2023, resulting in the prohibition of military personnel from using the app. The recent developments in the US could reignite similar discussions in the country. In the meantime, US users are reportedly flocking to the Chinese platform RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu.
Referhttps://www.technobaboy.com/2025/01/20/tiktok-is-back-online-for-us-users-after-brief-blackout-future-still-uncertain/ence: Law that could lead to TikTok ban passes in the US – Technobaboy
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