After what seems like years and years of a ‘potential TikTok ban’, an absolute ban finally reigned upon its American users. Back in April of 2024, President Joe Biden signed off on the dance and song app to be sold from ByteDance, a Chinese-based company, into the hands of an American-owned company, (Maheshwari and Holpuch, 2025).

According to The New York Times article ‘Why TikTok Is Facing a U.S. Ban, and What Could Happen Next’, TikTok itself is denying any of its users’ data being stolen by the Chinese government; further, on January 10, 2025 TikTok brought a case, once again, in front of the Supreme Court resisting the law trying to ban the social media platform. TikTok’s team’s first attempt to overturn the ruling was quickly shot down by three federal judges on Dec. 6 of last year stating that there was no violation of their first amendment rights, (Maheshwari and Holpuch, 2025). 

On Jan. 18, a notification was sent from TikTok describing an update: “We regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable.” Later that day, there was another notification that appeared stating, “TikTok isn’t available right now.”

“I didn’t believe it until I went to open (the app) and (TikTok) was actually banned and I was so sad that I couldn’t watch it anymore,” junior Olivia Waugh said. 

Waugh was upset and shocked while others felt somber yet realized the viable dangers.

“I think it’s smart for protecting U.S. citizens’ safety just in case something bad happens, but on the other hand it’s sad because if I’m waiting to do something, I (would) scroll through TikTok,” junior Lillian Like said.

According to the New York Times, it is likely that the 47th and upcoming president, Donald Trump has plans to save TikTok from its doom. 

Before the app’s confirmed conclusion, various opinions circulated regarding TikTok’s ‘possible end’. 

“I think it’s stupid because they’re saying it is a security threat, but there are multiple other apps that could pose the same threat, and I feel like if people were informed that your data could potentially be stolen, (so they would know) it’s their choice to have the app still,” sophomore Layla Kelly said.

Downloading an app and agreeing to its terms of service is, in other words, acknowledging the company will store one’s data and possibly even share it, which is why digital footprint is so significant. Inaccuracies about internet security are not beneficial to the app’s survival; additionally, if removed, many will lose out on their source of information over large topics like senior Hollow Skeen. 

“Honestly, I’m really disappointed (about the probable ban because) I use TikTok as a way to learn and gather a lot of resources, especially for forensics… I was exposed to a lot of interesting research via TikTok,” Skeen said. “I follow a bunch of PhD students there and see what they’re producing.”

While others are fine either way: “I think it’s interesting because (the government) has said this for the last four or five years now, and I’ve never been super worried about it,” sophomore Ella Schultz continued, “it is just an app so if it gets banned… it is never that deep.”

What’s more, there are many rumors regarding that date of Tiktok’s expiration — considering the app is genuinely banned. 

Nevertheless, most agree that it will be banned on Jan. 19. 

“I think it might be banned on the 19th and then once Trump gets inaugurated, he’ll probably push back and (try to) unban it,” Kelly said.

Skeen has similar ideas: “I think it will be banned. I know there is some legislation to extend the ban and I know President-elect Trump was talking about issuing an executive order, but I think it all comes down to what the Supreme Court decides,” they said.

President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration occurs the day after TikTok’s official ban date, so his plans to “rescue TikTok” will likely fall through, as stated by the New York Times.

Still, others are unsure of the circumstances of the song app’s suppression. 

“I don’t know if (TikTok) is actually going to be banned. What I have heard is that it will start bugging, though, it won’t necessarily delete off your phone, but on the newer phones obviously the app won’t be in the app store,” Schultz said.

On another point, the government’s push for TikTok’s destruction might stem from the controversial and ‘radical’ opinions that gain traction throughout the app and larger audiences.

As such, the government became anxious over the eruptions of conflicting thoughts; consequently, “They are worried that China could use TikTok’s content recommendations to fuel misinformation,” (Maheshwari and Holpuch, 2025). 

For example, the 2024 presidential election between current Vice President Kamala Harris and, now, President-elect Donald Trump was a contentious topic across TikTok with thousands of influencers voicing their opinions on both parties and telling young users who to vote for. 

Generation Z led the way with many first-time voters. 

“Young people today definitely already have really aggressive attitudes towards the incumbent parties that we have today. We are not really happy with the people in power now in general, and I think this will be a point in history where we see that kind of increase and hopefully get some sort of meaningful impact and change out of it,” Skeen said. 

Even if one ignores the political aspects, TikTok still holds a firm grasp on mass amounts of people’s news consumption. 

“(TikTok is) probably the majority (of my media use) because nothing else really entertains me,” Kelly said.

The result of TikTok’s future will have a great impact on a multitude of people; moreover, its run had a huge effect on the lives of many with its ability to educate, entertain, and embrace diverse groups of people.

“It sucks too because (TikTok) had such a good community outreach — it felt like I could really talk to people on there and connect,” Skeen added. 

Some people may switch to another app such as Red Note, put down social media, or keep using the app, if it is banned, till it is completely unusable. 

“I’m already on Red Note, or Xiaohongshu, (and) I like it a lot (because it has) a pretty good community on there.” Skeen said. “But in general I might use it as a sign to take a social media cleanse – just take a step back and get back into my old hobbies again (while) trying to reduce my screen time.”