Everyone who reads this has undoubtedly heard of TikTok, a well-known social media software that lets users record, view, and share 15-second films using webcams or mobile devices. It was established in September 2016. The application is well-known for its high levels of engagement and highly addictive nature, featuring individualized feeds of humorous short videos accompanied by music and sound effects. TikTok is extremely popular in Gen Z.  It has been downloaded around 4.7 billion times as of April 2024. 36% of users are between the ages of 18 and 24.

Comic relief and lightheartedness fit quite well with this approach; nevertheless, infotainment, a broadcast material which is intended both to entertain and to inform, is implemented frequently. Influencers who build a consistent following on TikTok share self-promotional content mixed with brief words of wisdom. Many influencers all make their living through TikTok, such as Alix Earle, who grew in popularity over the past 2 years and makes millions of dollars annually off TikTok by sharing her GRWMs (get ready with me) and vlogging about her day. Cooking, personal economics and budgeting, beauty, and fashion are all popular subjects for educational videos. The format is utilized more and more to market and sell goods

The future of TikTok in the United States and the European Union (EU) is dubious. Because of TikTok’s widespread use and the parent company ByteDance’s vigorous lobbying operations, attempts by US lawmakers to explicitly forbid its use have repeatedly failed.

The “For You” feature on the app may allow the Chinese government to access the data of American users and perhaps influence them, which is why the software is facing criticism. There is concern that the “For You” function’s algorithm, whose identity is still unknown, can be used to influence user behavior, possibly send political messages, and even interfere with US elections. But there are currently more attempts being made to outlaw TikTok. Following years of attempts—including one by previous President Donald Trump—to criminalize the widely used video-sharing app, a bill to do so has received congressional approval and is in route to President Biden for signature. Trump acknowledged that there are both positive and negative aspects to TikTok, citing concerns about data privacy and national security. A large number of people adore it on TikTok. Many young children on TikTok will go “insane” without it, according to Trump.

The law gives parent company ByteDance, based in Beijing, nine months to sell the business, with an extra three months if a deal is already in the works. If not, TikTok will be taken down. When reporters questioned Biden on the measure, he responded, “If they pass it, I’ll sign it.”

Many teenagers do not want the app to be banned. Most of them say many other apps have been doing the same things, and it would be unfair to ban just TikTok. Others say that they think the ban of TikTok would be beneficial because TikTok has become addicting and a distraction. Mia Fineman, Olympic Heights sophomore and member of SGA, says,”I don’t want TikTok to be banned. It is a great way to learn new things and just pass free time.”