On Jan.19, TikTok was scheduled to be banned in the United States due to national security. Over the last five years, TikTok has become one of the most used apps in the U.S. The app will not be erased from phones but will no longer be available in Apple and Google app stores. TikTok will also no longer receive updates and will get slower without them.
According to NPR, “After that ban is in effect, the app will show a prompt saying that it is no longer in service. “
“I use TikTok to laugh whenever I’ve had a stressful day, and I use it to look up information that is easier to find than on Google. Without it, I wouldn’t know what is going on around the U.S,” Cheyenne Jaucian (12) said.
McIntosh students use the app for different reasons. Entertainment and keeping up with information about our country are big pull factors for downloading the app.
“I like TikTok because I get to watch videos of my interests and watch cool videos. I use the app to watch clips of my favorite shows,” Armaan Chadha (12) said.
TikTok has created communities by having a place for individuals to express their self-interests.
“TikTok makes me feel nice, that there is a place I can fit in with people who aren’t even around me and have the same interests as me. The app is super fun to use for sending my friends videos or just scrolling and relaxing to when I have the time, “Lizzie Ruth (11) said.
The social media platform is used as a way for people to express their feelings about topics from political standpoints to personal dilemmas. It is also used to promote small businesses around the U.S. Students around the school have expressed how the app has made them feel and what they use it for.
“TikTok is like a fun distraction, just scrolling through random stuff that makes you laugh or feel something, even if it’s just for a minute,” Troy Gumbs (11) said.
The TikTok ban started to take effect at 10 P.M. on Jan.18, and was down until 2 P.M. on Jan.19.
According to CNN, “President Trump, on Sunday morning said he would issue an executive order to delay the ban. The delay is for 75 days. During the delay there is going to be ensuring that the national security is in no danger,”
