As Junior Devyn Davis walked out of his basketball game, he reached for his phone to scroll on one of his favorite apps, TikTok. He stood there in shock as a message brightened his screen disclosing its removal.
On Jan. 18, a national TikTok ban took effect and lasted 24 to 48 hours depending on the different time zones before President Donald Trump granted an extension for the ban.
Trump’s extension is intended to only last until April 5.
Some Miege students, such as junior Lucy Watson, expressed that they were disappointed about the saved videos and drafts they had made over the years being gone once the ban was enacted. However, Watson was relieved to find her videos restored once the ban was lifted.
“I was very happy when I saw that TikTok was back – it really made my day,” Watson said. “Although I knew it wasn’t going to be banned for that long,”
Davis explained that TikTok contributes to his daily interactions with friends online and that he can use the app as a way to share his interest in football with others.
“Whenever I feel down or angry, I can always repost stuff that relates to my mood,” Davis said. “If I’m in a funny mood, I can repost a funny video. It’s fun for me to do and feels like an outlet.”
According to the American University, the United States government banned TikTok due to concern that the Chinese government would steal or manipulate American users’ data. The platform’s algorithm could also be used to spread propaganda and misinformation as it is not an American-owned company.
Mixed opinions amongst students have circulated on whether the government has the authority to ban the app. Sophomore Zachary Mohlman shared that since TikTok is not an American company, it should not be up to the U.S. government to ban it. He expressed that he is not concerned that TikTok is affecting his safety.
“I feel like it wasn’t necessary, especially with other stuff going on in the world,” Mohlman said. “TikTok is unimportant compared to the other issues America is facing.”
TikTok Newsroom reported that over five million businesses and more than 224,000 American jobs have started because of TikTok (TikTok Newsroom). Davis expressed that since TikTok has had an economic impact in America, people should not have to lose their forms of income due to the ban.
“With all the businesses that have been created off TikTok, it wasn’t necessary to have that banned,” Davis said.
