On Jan. 18, the United States saw a nationwide suspension of the social media app TikTok, affecting over 150 million Americans who use the app for content creation, entertainment and news. However, due to the intervention of the Trump administration via a 75 day extension to the app’s availability, the ban lasted only around twelve hours, with users able to access TikTok the following day.

A third of U.S. adults and nearly two-thirds of U.S. teens use the app, according to Pew Research Center. Over the past several years, the United States government has debated whether the potential risks of the app warrant nationwide action in order to address concerns about information and privacy. This is on account of the affiliations of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, with the Chinese Communist Party. 

“It is difficult to weigh in on the dangers of TikTok,” said Dr. Lucas Hatlen, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies. “I think data is certainly being harvested, but that is not really a secret. All social media platforms function in that way to some extent or another.” 

Part of the problem is that many justifications for the ban are being made with data that is not publicly available,” Hatlen added, “So as an outsider, I imagine that it makes sense to not allow TikTok to be used on government or contractor phones. But I remain skeptical of a national ban being necessary.”

“When I heard that TikTok might be banned I honestly did not believe it,” said Giselle Parra, sophomore. “TikTok has been so influential for small business, and it’s a way that many young adults make a living. It’s connected people in a way that Instagram and other platforms don’t. I think it’s because through these short videos people found the courage to be real.” 

Americans, especially younger generations, uphold the authenticity displayed by content creators on TikTok and value the individualized experience created by the app’s precise algorithms. Whether an avenue for small businesses to reach their audiences, a place to keep up with rapid trends, or a source for unfiltered social and news feeds, TikTok has cemented itself among Americans since its introduction in 2016.

“Social media platforms, such as TikTok, can enhance our lives in many ways,” said Dr. Kristen Koenig, Professor of Sociology. “However, research consistently suggests that true human flourishing is ultimately rooted in meaningful, in-person connections.”

The shift away from significant in-person interactions and into fast-paced digital spaces has impacted culture and society in many notable ways, but recent conversation has especially raised questions regarding changes in the way that government interacts with media.

“Although there are obvious benefits associated with opening up access to ‘new media voices’ (or, the democratization of media), I have concerns with how that might actually be realized,” said Hatlen. “Despite an increasingly fractured and politicized media environment, traditional press organizations are still (at least nominally) held to certain journalistic standards. That is not to say that some social media personalities, TikTokers, or podcasters do not have journalistic standards; some do.” 

President Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt caused a stir when she stated that the new administration would “welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House.” Trump’s election wasted no time setting new bounds for the federal government’s relationship with the media, after 2024’s so-called ‘podcast election’ and the newest developments regarding TikTok. 

“My concern is with how the administration chooses who to award with press passes,” said Hatlen. “If press passes are awarded to new media voices who truly represent the best of the medium, then that can only be a good thing. In contrast, if it is used as a pretense to fill the front row of the press room with sycophantic supporters, or ill-informed, combative opposition, I think that could have significant negative repercussions for civil discourse.”   

“Although there are specifics unique to the TikTok case, it does reflect larger patterns and historical precedents of struggles over control and adoption of media,” said Hatlen. “As new media forms emerge they are historically viewed with suspicion as they are adopted by youth counter culture, and typically they become incorporated into the cultural mainstream and the media landscape over time. I would not be surprised if this ultimately occurs with TikTok, although the international angle may complicate matters.”

As of press time, TikTok was no longer downloadable in app stores on smartphones which did not have it previously installed. Though online forums posted several workarounds. As restrictions continue and a national ban still looms, Americans must confront the realities of new media in society, and how it impacts our law, lives, health and happiness.

 

Tags: community, Election, Social Media

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About Madison Zuniga

Madison Zuniga serves as the 24-25 Editor-in-Chief for the Concordia Courier. Her work in journalism has served to focus her vision for her career goals in studio arts and creative writing, and she's grateful to serve her campus community through the news!

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