Teens Express Concerns Over TikTok Ban and Their Next Steps

Madeira: Teens are really feeling the impact of the potential TikTok ban. Many say the app has created a unique culture that they just can’t find anywhere else. During the pandemic, it became a lifeline for connection and creativity.

One teen, Madeira Semins, 18, shared how TikTok has been a quiet influence in her life. She feels uncertain about what life would look like without it. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a law that could force TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban.

While some teens are ready to jump to other platforms, others feel frustrated. They think the government doesn’t understand how important TikTok is to their communities. For many, it’s not just a way to pass time; it’s a vital tool for connection and expression.

Elizabeth Conley, 19, from Indiana, uses TikTok to engage with political issues and connect with peers. She worries that losing the platform would change how they reach out to others.

Some teens, like Rayyan Ahmed, 19, are even looking at other Chinese apps like RedNote as a form of protest against the ban. They believe the focus should be on better data privacy laws instead of banning a single app.

Others, like Jackson Jordan, 15, feel that banning TikTok would isolate teens even more. He sees it as a violation of free speech and believes it’s not about national security but censorship.

Not everyone is worried, though. Aidan O’Donnell, 18, has already started using Instagram Reels instead. Some teens hope that if TikTok goes away, they’ll spend more time offline, as the app can be super addictive.

In the end, it’s clear that TikTok has become more than just an app; it’s a part of their lives and a way to connect with each other.