Is TikTok’s Future in Jeopardy?

By Sonia Cherian

TikTok has become a popular social media platform among U.S. teenagers, with 67% of them using it regularly. However, recent federal and local policies restricting access to TikTok have raised questions about the future of this platform and how it will impact our generation.

Background

In December 2022, U.S. Congress and the President approved a spending bill that banned TikTok on federal devices, citing national security concerns. The app is owned by a China-based parent company, ByteDance, which raises fears among the U.S. government that the Chinese government could access American user information and devices through TikTok.

The ban on TikTok has also been imposed by over 30 U.S. states, with varying levels of severity. In addition, public universities in Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia have announced plans to block access to TikTok on their campus WiFi networks. This decision was influenced by similar security concerns as those raised by the federal government.

Room for Debate

While some students view the restriction of TikTok on campus WiFi networks as an important national security measure, others believe it is an overstep by universities and promotes censorship. Public universities receive funding from their state governments, although not all of their students use state-issued devices to access platforms such as TikTok.

The recent restrictions on TikTok have sparked important discussions on personal data protection in the online world and the role that technology could play in shaping the future of national security. The impact of these restrictions on TikTok and its young users is still unclear.

Share Your Voice

Do you think the federal restrictions on TikTok are justified? What role does TikTok play in your life? What steps do you take to protect your personal data online? Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts on these current events on #ICanHelp’s social media pages (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook).

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