Marist Students Respond to Potential TikTok Ban
TikTok sends out surveys on the For You page for individuals to vote -- but that would no longer happen if it gets banned in the U.S. Photo by Nefeli Vlogianitis '25
On TikTok, users can post videos they create online or watch videos shared by others. These videos can range from just seconds-long to up to 10 minutes. According to CNN, approximately 170 million Americans currently use this social media platform.
The variety of content on TikTok is endless, and although some may call TikTok a waste of time, some see it as a comfortable place to simply scroll and watch their favorite content.
For instance, Kathryn Amatruda ‘25, uses TikTok to fill the time and relax before bed. “It can also be super educational if you find the right videos. It is a platform people use to speak freely and say what they feel they need to,” said Amatruda.
Due to TikTok’s parent company ByteDance's ties with China, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a TikTok ban on March 13. The bill alleges that the Chinese government uses the app to spy on Americans, threatening national security.
“U.S. lawmakers and intelligence officials worry the Chinese government could use TikTok to access personal data from its millions of users and use algorithms to show them videos that could influence their views, including in the coming presidential election,” according to an NBC news article.
As reported by CNN, the bill passed on a bipartisan 352-65 vote. It requires the app to part ways with ByteDance within five months, or app stores will be banned from hosting it on their platforms. President Joe Biden claimed he would sign the bill if it reached his desk.
Jackson Willette ‘25 believes that TikTok is a threat to national security.
“Many people think it’s just that information that they give and log in, but the problem is that they have access to see all the trends in America and the antics of the average American,” said Willette. For him, the biggest problem is that the platform influences its users, which could potentially be used for a political agenda, similar to what Facebook has done.
TikTok can be seen as an app that influences people to have different viewpoints or that provides misinformation to the public, and Marist College students have different opinions on whether they support or oppose the ban.
“I don’t mind the ban because I think it is a problem that another country is in control of a mass media platform from which millions of Americans get their news and information,” said Willette.
“I believe this app has gotten way out of control, and I’m in favor of it,” said Christina Layden ‘25, another supporter of the ban.
On the other hand, Marianna Alonge ‘25 represents the opposing view.
“I think the ban does not make sense. If TikTok gets banned, other apps will be created for the same purpose since it is so popular,” she said. “Many people have built a lifestyle around TikTok, which has become a main source of income for many influencers, so it will put them out of a job.”
Some students see the banning of TikTok as a violation of their First Amendment rights.
“It violates the First Amendment right because technically, TikTok is a platform that displays freedom of speech, and banning it would be taking that away from individuals who find TikTok as a way to express their feelings and thoughts,” said Jillian LaPrise ‘25.
But of course, this too has differing opinions.
“I don’t think it’s a violation of the First Amendment because banning a platform does not have any impact on the multiple other social media platforms,” said Katie Hughes ‘25. “If TikTok had certain words or topics that were completely banned on the platform, I think that would be a violation, but I don’t see how making an app illegal violates free speech.”