Tiktok ban: Mbms students share thoughts

PHOTO COURTESY OF REUTERS.COM

Originally published January 21, 2025

   The TikTok allegations are growing, while everyone wants to know the truth. MBMS students share their thoughts on the downfall of their favorite app. The TikTok ban will occur on Jan 19. After this date, TikTok will get removed from the app store, although users with the app will still be able to access it. 

   TikTok currently updates every week, but with the ban and its rules, no tweaks will be made. All of this trouble because the government wants to protect TikTok users from the Chinese company who runs the app. But what if it was completely banned? These are MBMS students' thoughts.  

    “I think it’s kinda sad because I’ve had it for like a long time,” eighth-grader Dragana Cabuag said. 

 Many students are disappointed to see an app like no other leave, and others are wondering where to go after TikTok falls.

     “I’d say Instagram,” sixth-grader Mikiyah Sanders said. “I think a lot of people are going to be really bored. I know a lot of people can’t have Instagram.” 

   These grieving students relate to each other by the feeling of defeat of losing a unique app.

    “I’ll  just have no entertainment source and there's nothing to do when I'm bored,” seventh-grader Kae’den Dilllard said. 

 Eventually TikTok will slow down and people will get tired of the problems. Tiktok updates usually every now and then, after the ban people will get annoyed by the slow app.

    “I think it’ll become a lot less used, and I feel like a lot of people have made their career on tiktok.” Cabuag said. “..so I feel like it’ll be hard to be forgotten completely.” 

   Many influencers and just normal people have created stable accounts to gain money.   The  habit of  opening the app to relatable, funny, content is addicting. All of these students often open this app that has their interest and followings on their feed. 

   “It’s kind of like my everyday routine I would say and just something I’m used to always reposting things and posting things too, I’m just so used to it already. It’s kinda like the only app I use..” Cabuag said.

    TikTok has been included in many students' daily life,  now it’s failing and the upcoming generations won’t be able to experience the feeling of opening an app where all your favorite creators and relatable videos lay in front of you. TikTok has this remarkable feeling that reminds you,  you're not alone. It shows that other people in the world can relate to your feelings. On TikTok you can find any D.I.Y crafts, recipes, tutorials, and even Disney shows dueted to someone making slime.

    TikTok has both positively and negatively affected society, but it’s comforting to have a platform where everyone is on the same level. To take away an app where students aren’t afraid to share their feelings can be damaging. Instagram isn’t TikTok, and it’s hard to say it ever will be. The new generations will be very different without being exposed to TikTok. Let’s see the differences.