For anyone who didn't use TikTok and/or doesn't understand the extent of the app's influence on the American people, here are some things to consider:
Many independent artists and business owners used the app to sell their products.
Many singers and musicians promoted their music and got record deals off of the app.
There have been many cases of people who avoided homelessness b/c of the creator fund.
There have been many cases of chronically ill and disabled people getting a proper diagnosis because of the app.
The app served as a much easier way for many disabled people to communicate with the world about their experiences.
The app was key to organizing for Palestine and Ukraine, and allowed people under attack to share their stories.
The app brought many Americans together to openly criticize the healthcare system on a scale unheard of before.
The app helped people share what their communities looked like after natural disaster and organize for relief when the government failed them.
And there is so much more.
This is important for you to understand beyond the irritating discourse and immature hot takes and viral brainrot that pop up on the app (as they do with any social media.)
This is what was taken from the American people. Can you put your thinking cap on for a second and question, why would our government take away a tool that allows people to do all this?
The ban is censorship. Full stop.
Now, if the app comes back it will be because billionaires got their way.
There is already speculation that US based Meta will buy it and then they get to control it. It's billionaires once again playing with our lives, and Trump will get to look like the guy who saved TikTok.
All of this was by design.