In the past years, social media lovers have had many ways of sharing their content in videos and photos. However, no other application made it so easy to create, upload, and share with their followers like TikTok. The popular social media app allows you to shoot short and engaging videos with a free sign-up.
However, it has become a center of heated debate in many countries. Some question its data security, and others wonder if the content is age-restrictive, especially for minors. One country that has been debating whether to ban it is the United States.
With the age of all types of smartphones available in the market for everyone, citizens are free to choose their social media content depending on their individual likes and audience. However, the main question is whether what users post is safe and secure from persons and entities that would use the data to breach personal and national security.
Hence, with this question at the center of the debate, will America finally ban TikTok? This article will discuss the concerns, points of opinion, and consequences in the event the US decides to shut down TikTok within its boundaries.
Debate For and Against of TikTok
It’s easier to understand the TikTok debate after getting to know this social media platform. Most users create, share, and watch short videos with other users across the globe. It is now among the top widely used apps, joining WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. While buying Twitter followers helps a lot to build an audience for personal and corporate branding, TikTok is more of a fun and entertainment app.
The platform has become popular over time, especially among young people, who have expressed themselves through songs, dancing, making fun, and any other content of choice for years. Hence, the discussion about TikTok being bad or good started yesterday.
The main concern with TikTok is based on the uncertainty of data privacy and national security. Hence, those who support banning TikTok are concerned about protecting American users’ data from potential risks such as misuse by foreign institutions.
They also worry about the mental wellness of the major users, who are young. Some wonder whether the kind of content being shared is appropriate and safe for the young audience due to the lack of age ratings.
There are those on the other side who are of a different opinion that a ban will raise concerns over freedom of expression. This would mean that America would be perceived as a nation that calls for the protection of rights to freedom of expression while implementing the contrary.
In addition, a ban may negatively impact the millions of young Americans who use the platform for entertainment, learning, and even business. Hence, the ove will be deemed to have ended the dreams and potential careers of many, whether in the arts or business.
The opponents also argue that the government should enact effective data protection measures to mitigate the raised risks rather than banning the app. This way, the government would be seen to promote the positive impacts while protecting the people from external damage.
From a global view, a ban could create bad international reactions between the U.S. and China, which hosts the Tktok developer. This will not only affect equal trading opportunities but will also negatively impact technological and cultural relations. For market analysts, a ban would be seen as a hint at how the U.S. will be dealing with competing foreign-owned tech companies going forward, which is a bad perception by investors.
Possible Way Forward
Considering the opinions of different people on both sides of the debate, it’s apparent that it’s not easy to directly answer the question of whether America will finally ban TikTok. While the security and privacy of national data are big considerations for any nation when it comes to foreign technology being introduced into the country, there are also many other reasons to halt the ban. In addition, the consequences of implementing a ban will have far-reaching effects beyond the borders of the US.
It is the opinion of those watching the debate that there may be a middle way to solve the issues raised in order to have the platform stay while ensuring the safety of all. Hence, the policymakers, in particular, are obligated to carefully consider all opinions before making the final decision. Hopefully, the verdict will be in the best interest of the Americans and in promoting its principles of freedom of expression, innovation and fair trade relations.
Conclusion
Embracing TikTok not only encourages competitive technology innovation and creativity but also allows users to achieve their personal goals without discrimination. Hence, just like with any new technology being introduced to the market, the best way is to ensure there are measures to curb the risks to the users. Where national security is not only assumed but seems to be apparent, users should also be given such information to allow them to make a choice.
