In today’s world, social media is a huge part of the daily lives of students. TikTok stands out as one of the most popular platforms used by teenagers. Though some people argue that it should be banned due to the concerns of security and privacy, banning TikTok would be a mistake. The application has given many people, but mostly teenagers, a creative outlet, time to scroll, the opportunity to escape the real world and for some, opportunity to make money. TikTok offers a space where people can express their creativity and be themselves, making videos in the hopes of going viral with something they’ve posted.
“TikTok is very unique because it lets a lot of people express their ideas in many different ways. There are many dancing videos as well as cooking videos, while also being a nice place where people can show their talents,” said junior Sophia Braddick.
TikTok has created a place for people to express themselves in many different ways, such as dancing or showcasing their talents. It is also unique in the way where users can show off their different interests.
Income Source
For some, TikTok is the main source of income that they rely on in order to make a living. They make the money by selling products, brand partnerships, and creating sponsored content. If these people were to lose Tiktok, they would need to go out and find a job and possibly be getting paid less than what they would get paid from the application.
“There are many people that rely on TikTok for income, and if TikTok were to be banned these people would now have to go and find new jobs, after already having a stable job that they love doing,” said senior Roberto Valdes.
TikTok can be a source of income for some people, especially creators who make money from brand deals, sponsored posts, live stream donations, and the TikTok Creator Fund. If TikTok were banned, these creators would likely have to find another way to make money. The job they get might not pay as much as they were making on TikTok, especially if they were really popular with a big following. The money from TikTok can be unpredictable, but for a lot of creators, it’s a more flexible and potentially better paying option than a traditional job.
Stress Reliever
TikTok also gives people a chance to escape from all the stress and challenges of real life for a little while. An article from Harvard Public Health explains how TikTok can be a tool for mental health, not a threat to it. Through the application, Sasha Hamdani, a psychiatrist, created an “educational safe place” to learn about ADHD, hoping it would at least benefit her existing patients.
Also, when users scroll through their phones, they can get lost in content that helps take their mind off everything that happened during the day. Whether it’s funny videos, or interesting stories, it’s a way to relax and forget about the things that might have been bothering them throughout the day. It also gives them a chance to connect with others that they might not see on a daily basis.
“TikTok gives me the opportunity to stay in touch with friends that I don’t usually talk to, while also being able to spend time after a long day watching funny and interesting videos,” said sophomore Daniel Provda.
Growth
According to Pew Research Center, TikTok has grown rapidly since 2021, while Youtube and Facebook dominated the social media landscape, the share of adults who use these platforms has remained stable since 2021.
Younger people that use the application don’t want to read an article or watch a documentary, they want these bite-sized pieces of information that educated, entertained, and inspired them, and with the average video on TikTok being around 35 seconds.
TikTok is a platform that lets people be creative, make money, and relax while staying connected with others. It has become a big part of daily life for many teens. Instead of banning it, we should focus on keeping it safe while letting it continue to grow and bring people together.
