YES – Isabella DePaola
TikTok has been known by many generations in recent years as one of the most popular social media platforms. However, the rise of this app has led to significant challenges in terms of concerns about privacy, national security, mental health, and its broader societal impact. These topics have led to several talks and threats about banning the platform in the U.S. and other countries. There exists numerous reasons on why removing this site would prove beneficial to the country’s well-being.
One main reason that government officials stress over in regards to TikTok is the privacy and security concerns it raises due to it not being an American owned website. TikTok was created by a Chinese company named ByteDance. This company is subject to all of China’s data-sharing laws such as the law that states companies must comply with government requests for data, even if it involves international users. To add on, there are severe fears that TikTok data could be accessed by the Chinese government for surveillance or intelligence purposes. U.S. government officials have expressed their concerns that this could pose a national security risk, particularly if sensitive information about citizens or government officials is exposed. Banning TikTok could prevent these security breaches and protect sensitive/confidential information.
Additionally, the social media app has proved to be damaging to the overall Mental Health of the younger generations in the U.S.. It is a fact that TikTok’s algorithm promotes addictive behaviors and excessive screen time due to its nonstop entertainment meeting the wants of the brain so quickly with a scroll of the finger. As well, the website is linked to increased anxiety, loneliness, and depression, particularly among teens. This is a result of people using their platforms to put out the best version of themselves for the world to see, causing extremely unrealistic standards that young people compare themselves to. It is a vicious cycle that relies on naive individuals who have nothing better to do than sit on their phones and pick themselves apart while stalking popular creators. The app preys on these weak persons by using their insecurities to promote their “TikTok Shop” and people, gullible and self-conscious, feel that if they buy the products that their influencer idols use, they might begin to feel comfortable in their own skin. While the effects of this site are permanently engraved on the self-esteem of the people it hunted, banning this social media platform might end this irreversible damage and help future generations develop healthier online habits.
Moreover, TikTok is a large algorithm that is a breeding ground for people to spread false information and inaccurate content without proper verification. The ability for a large percentage of videos to gain a lot of traction makes it so that it is harder to escape these deceptions. The website also encourages the rapid spread of misinformation on important topics such as politics, health, and current events. This leads to the less-educated part of consumers being infected with nonfactual ideas, making the generation’s values largely demented. TikTok also promotes harmful challenges and trends that pose significant safety risks. For example, one challenge that was spread around the app was the Cinnamon Challenge where people inhale a spoonful of cinnamon all at once. This is a highly dangerous, and possibly even deadly action, as it can cause you to gag, choke, cough, and have a burning sensation in the mouth, nose, and throat.
While TikTok offers mass entertainment and is a resource that many people use to educate themselves and even make money, its risks outweigh its benefits. TikTok has many privacy concerns, mental health effects, spreads of misinformation, and more. Banning TikTok could protect its users and foster a healthier, safer digital environment. Although many do enjoy TikTok and would be sad if it were to be gone, society should ultimately prioritize ethical and secure platforms that promote well-being.
NO – Alexandra Bicserdy
TikTok, a popular social media known for making 15-second long videos, has become a global sensation. In the last couple of years, there has been debates on whether or not TikTok should be banned because of privacy and how safe this app really is. However, despite these concerns, banning TikTok would overlook its many positive contributions; including, creativity, economic growth, expressing themselves freely, and having a way to connect with others around the world.
One of the reasons for not banning TikTok is its role in promoting creativity. This app allows people to create and share short videos, using filters and trending audios. This setup means that any person, regardless of their background in life, could go viral. For many creators, this app provides a platform to show their talents and gain a good amount of followers. This easy access has made content creation more available to everyone, allowing people to be more comfortable in this community. TikTok has enabled people to express themselves whether it’s dancing, singing, cooking, or making funny videos you could watch all day, making this platform a powerful tool for expressing creativity, making a unique space where anyone could create or share content that shows their personal ideas. Banning TikTok would take away their creative outlet, silencing their voices and opportunities to gain millions of followers just like them.
Other than creativity, TikTok also plays a big role in economic growth. For millions of TikTok creators, this app has become a primary source of income for them. Many users earn money through brand partnerships, sponsors, and advertisements. TikTok has also created a Creator Fund which pays the users based on how well their content performs. Some creators even have enough money that TikTok could become their full-time job, meaning that it’s supporting their families and themselves. Many businesses have used this platform to promote their products, and small businesses have used TikTok to advertise and connect with customers. Without TikTok, many small businesses would lose a lot of customers, leading to a shutdown. This famous app has also created many jobs that include Content Creators. TikTok has become a key part of the job market, and banning it could lead to the loss of thousands of jobs. Content creators, influencers, and small companies use TikTok to reach out to the public and use it as a marketing tool. Banning TikTok could lead to economic downfall, by cutting off these opportunities for millions of people who depend on this app. Instead of banning, the government should focus on how many people would go unemployed after the ban.
TikTok has also made it easier for people from all over the world to connect and share their cultures. It allows users to share their own traditions, food, and daily lives, thus allowing others to see different ways of living and thinking. Through trends, challenges, and viral videos, TikTok has started conversations all over the world, giving people a chance to learn about each other. It’s amazing how something as simple as a dance or a funny video can bring people together and help us understand where others are coming from. TikTok makes it easier to explore different parts of the world. The app has brought together communities that might have never interacted because of this platform. In a world full of global conflicts, this app shows how social media can bring people together. It helps us connect, share ideas, and see that we’re more alike than we think. If TikTok was banned, we’d miss out on so many opportunities to connect with people from different backgrounds and countries. It’s like having a global community right at your fingertips!
Now, a lot of people are worried about TikTok and how it handles personal data. Some think the app collects too much information about the person. While these concerns are real, banning the app isn’t the solution. What we really need are stronger rules to make sure TikTok is following privacy laws. Also, other social media apps like Facebook and Instagram collect tons of data too, but these apps aren’t getting banned. The government could create better rules and make sure TikTok protects millions of Americans’ privacy. So instead of banning this app, we should focus on making sure the app is being responsible with our data.
Finally, TikTok has become a huge economic tool for so many Americans. It gives creators a way to make money, grow their business, and make new friends. If TikTok were banned, it would seriously hurt the economy by taking away opportunities for millions of people. Instead of banning it, the government should focus on making sure there are better rules to keep TikTok safe for us!