Nishitha Gopinath Week 10 - TikTok and America
TikTok and America
In a country that was founded on the principles of individuality and vocalization of one’s voice, the irony of how Americans collectively rely on a single app for the attunement of our daily lives is not lost. Launched in the early 2010s by parent company ByteDance, TikTok skyrocketed to popularity in 2018, surpassing popular apps like Instagram and Snapchat to become the sole most sought-after social media platform in America. For American people today, TikTok isn’t merely a center of entertainment; it’s a platform of cultural phenomena, social change, and most importantly, free speech.
TikTok’s exceptionally unique ability to amplify voices must be examined to understand the deep-rooted influence that the app has on American culture today. In the span of anywhere from 5 seconds to 10 minutes, anyone–from a teenager in California to a rural farmer in Minnesota–can showcase their experiences, talents, and opinions for the rest of the world. The algorithm doesn’t discriminate based on trivial things like status or background; it elevates their content purely based on its ability to resonate with the mass audience. The app thrives on difference of opinions, allowing people to engage in videos of topics ranging from political debates to social justice movements to viral trends. TikTok has become a formidable equalizer in social media, a space where everyone has the same unconventional ability to be heard.
More than entertainment, however, TikTok has also become an influential platform that many activists frequent to share their beliefs. From the insurgence of the Black Lives Movement in 2020, the influx of awareness on the environmental impacts of fast fashion, to the popularity of KamalaHQ to educate people about the 2024 presidential election, the app has given Gen Z the ability to vocalize their political opinions.
And yet, the immense power that TikTok holds has also made it a considerable target. American critics argue that the app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is a monumental national security risk that poses threats to data privacy and increases foreign influence in America. And although the debate over the looming ban continues to go back and forth–from the app voluntarily shutting down to the 90 day extension that President Trump has allegedly proposed–banning TikTok raises another equally critical issue: the suppression of free speech.
Hi Nishita! I really love your balanced reading of this issue because it is always important to have a calm and clear perspective on any issue. I agree that is very ironic that a nation that prides itself on individuality would all succumb to the same social media platform. I like how at the beginning, you talk about the variety of people who can post on TikTok and how it allows for a greater sense of connection. A software engineer in the Bay Area and an elderly tea shop owner from Michigan can be aware and appreciate each other's presence in a way unlike ever before. The list of the various movements and activism that takes place on TikTok is compelling evidence to show that TikTok really is like an open forum where anything and everything is up for discussion and debate. That being said, you are completely right to point out that TikTok's power over the social media industry has made many people worried. Our government is worried about what it would mean for our nation to be using foreign apps at the levels that we are using TikTok, which can be a valid concern. I like how you ended with open ended questions because it shows that there really isn't a clear answer or solution to this problem, so civil open discussion is necessary to figure out the best course of action. Overall, I really liked your blog and I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteHi Nishita! I was really intrigued by your topic, and I was honestly surprised that no one else had already touched upon this take. I personally, have never had TikTok, but I will admit I have almost succumbed to the urge to download it many, many times. As someone who had no experience with that addictive algorithm, I was honestly very shocked to see how many of my friends reacted. But after reading your post, I am beginning to understand how important TikTok really is in many Americans lives, which seems strange to say about a social media platform. I agree that banning it is, to some extent, taking away individuals' freedom of expression and I am so glad you touched on that. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Nishitha! The general subject of your article pulled me in instantly, especially as this topic is such a important one to our lives. Personally, I don't use TikTok anymore as I often spend too much time on my phone once I get on it. I like your nuanced view on this topic; many people I know were mad and very against the ban. But, I do understand how important social media such as TikTok is to general free speech. Since the birth of social media, it has given ordinary people a platform and a voice. So, I see how banning TikTok could be connected to a broader theme of free speech in America. Thank you for your insights!
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