Masuk Free Press

In a world where the glow of smartphone screens competes with the radiance of the sun, the news of a potential TikTok ban sent shockwaves throughout the teenage community. While many groaned at the idea of losing their favorite mindless activity, could the ban be a blessing in disguise? 

Personally, I think it is exactly that. Imagine a world where scrolling was not an immediate reflex, where FOMO took a major backseat and creativity was not confined to 15-second clips. The TikTok ban might just be the jolt required to snap us out of our digital daze and reconnect us with reality. 

Last week, the House of Representatives threw down the gauntlet: they voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill that gives ByteDance (the platform that owns TikTok) an ultimatum: sell TikTok within six months or face the wrath of App-Store exile across the US. Lawmakers have been attempting to regulate the app since 2020 because of privacy concerns. Finally, by passing the bill in the House, Congress has made some major progress. This move marks a significant step in reining in the app’s unchecked influence on the people of America. And in my humble opinion, it is about damn time. 

The bill was mainly passed because of an extreme data breach; the parent company ByteDance could hand over the personal information of around 170 million Americans to Beijing. While this is obviously a major issue, TikTok has stolen more than just our data- it has pilfered our attention spans. 

Growing up without the app, kids my age could binge-watch entire seasons of our favorite shows without as much as a bathroom break. Now? If a video dares to exceed the 30 second-mark, we are either watching it at 2x speed or immediately scrolling.

TikTok is designed to stimulate multiple parts of the brain without the viewer ever realizing it. Have you ever wondered why you can only tolerate episodes of Grey’s Anatomy if ASMR slime clips are playing at the bottom? Has it never crossed your mind that you only have the patience to listen to a storytime if there is also a Subway-Surfers video playing in the background? Is this not at all concerning to you?

It should be. Gone are the days of wholesome television. Now, it’s all about 60 second life hacks and ten-part “Am I The Asshole” sagas condensed into bite-sized servings. TikToks are made to leave you wanting more, taking up hours upon hours of teenagers’ days. And do not even get me started on the minutes on the toilet—let’s just say, we are all guilty.

Sure, TikTok can feel like a friend, but make no mistake: it is a fiendishly addictive one. We’ve got to acknowledge the grip it has on our lives and confront the broader issues lurking beneath the surface. This ban could be the reality check we’ve been desperately needing.

I can easily sympathize with the millions of teenagers mourning the potential loss of the app. Saying goodbye to TikTok feels like bidding adieu to a trusted companion. Like many other students, I find it almost impossible to go to bed without a brief scroll through the algorithm. TikTok is often the way I wake up in the morning as well. You will find humorous content all over the app, and educational videos as well. 

TikTok may seem like a friendly ally, but it is not. We need to recognize the addictive nature of the social media platform and highlight the broader societal issues surrounding technology and its impact on our attention spans and mental well-being. This ban must result in a wake-up call for teenagers. Imagine how much extra time would be saved if the app was taken down. 

I know my screen time on TikTok is over two hours most days. What else could be done with that time? Those extra minutes could be the difference between going to school tired each day and getting a good night’s sleep. Two hours on TikTok could be two hours spent studying for a big test. That could mean two extra hours of memories made with family members or friends. 

A ban such as this one would be exactly what we need to force individuals to reassess their relationship with technology and reclaim control over their time and attention. Let’s not mourn the potential loss of the app, but instead celebrate the liberation from its captivating clutches.