TikTok is a social media platform mostly known for short-form video content, where users can create, share, and discover videos that are usually between 15 seconds and three minutes long. Its ability to produce a new type of entertainment, creativity, and user engagement has allowed it to gain popularity among more than 1.6 billion users worldwide.
Although TikTok is very popular, it has faced problematic issues over privacy, data security, and algorithmic control. Some governments have addressed its connection to China, where its company, ByteDance, is based.
Additionally, there are debates around the mental health impact of social media platforms like TikTok, particularly in terms of body image, online bullying, and addiction to scrolling.
Ben Johnson ‘26 lost his ability to watch TikTok after the ban, as he deleted TikTok the night after it was banned from the App Store. Johnson says, “It’s devastating. I find myself yearning for TikTok and instead use Insta[gram], however, it’s just not the same.” Johnson then adds, “My life sucks after not being able to use TikTok.”
Jay Ali ‘26, a frequent user of TikTok, says, “Yes, I do [enjoy using TikTok].” He also highlights key characteristics of TikTok that make it special, stating, “What makes TikTok unique is its search engine and its unfiltered content.” Ali believes that TikTok is more entertaining than educational, however, he adds that it depends on how you build your “For You Page” (FYP) which personalizes videos for a user’s preference.
Logan Kaiser ‘27, another TikTok user, says that TikTok is informative and entertaining, as he states, “It gives me a lot of new information and, I mean, it’s pretty enjoyable to scroll through, doing absolutely nothing.” Kaiser finds TikTok more helpful than Instagram reels, saying, “It is definitely more useful for learning helpful stuff compared to Instagram reels. However, it is slightly more unprofessional than Instagram and Twitter.”
Kaiser spends three hours a day on TikTok, and says, “When I first started using TikTok I thought it was useless and then I used it more and my FYP became more relatable.” Kaiser opposes the TikTok ban, saying, “No, TikTok should not be banned because it has news sources and you get to know what’s going on both locally and nationally.” For consistent users like Ali and Kaiser, TikTok is an important aspect of their day and their addiction is still strong, however, TikTok still faces challenges over privacy, data security, and its impact on mental health.
