A unanimous Supreme Court affirmed the D.C. Circuit’s decision in TikTok Inc. v. Garland, a case involving the constitutionality of the law that effectively banned TikTok unless it was divested. The end of an era for the app that has dominated pop culture for the past five years, or so we thought.
In today’s world, apps are a dime a dozen on the app store, but what makes TikTok different is its pioneering algorithm, meticulous tailoring of personalized content and an emphasis on authenticity and distinct content styles. All these elements helped maintain a monopoly on young minds that love to linger on the ‘For You’ page.
The renegade dance trend started the tide of popularity which snowballed into something of a trendsetter when it came to dances, songs, recipes, political conversations and a bit of social deviancy here and there.
In early 2020, as the world grappled with the upheaval of COVID-19, much of the current student body population found themselves stuck attending high school over Zoom, and their lives disrupted in ways they could never have imagined. For many, TikTok became a lifeline — a source of escape, therapy, joy and a perfectly valid excuse to endlessly scroll on their phones.
In that same year, the initial charge against the app came from President Trump himself, who sought to ban it via executive order — an action promptly stymied by federal courts citing insufficient statutory basis. In subsequent years, both Congress and the Biden administration have diligently advanced efforts to confront perceived national security risks associated with the app.
These efforts culminated in the passing of the surprisingly bipartisan bill known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which President Biden signed into law on April 24, 2024.
To a great deal of students, Jan. 18 seemed like the last day TikTok would be operational in the U.S. In an unexpected turn of events, TikTok was temporarily shut down starting around 11 p.m. EST on Jan. 18, and by morning, the app was operational again. For what it is worth, the app is neither available on the Apple Store or Google Play.
TikTok lives on, but to the Wolfpack, I dare ask: Is this app truly worth your most valuable resource? Would you in any way put stock in something that would no doubt stunt your faculties in the long term for a short high that leaves you no better than you were before?
Research has consistently shown a link between TikTok use and high levels of anxiety and depression, particularly in young adults who are in college. A comparison culture helps nobody, and that is exactly what TikTok harbors.
Whether it is showcasing the latest luxury gadgets, coveted corporate internships, pristine holiday gifts or flawless academic transcripts of other similarly situated students all over the world, the platform inundates users with curated glimpses into the lives of others, creating unrealistic expectations for people. The incessant flow on the ‘For You’ page is not good for you, and perhaps it’s best practice to try temperance once in a while or, for something like TikTok, absolute sobriety from that app.
Although some supporters emphasize the platform’s capacity to foster community and destigmatize conversations about mental health, these advantages are frequently overshadowed by the app’s addictive nature and the frequency of useless content, social exclusion and cyberbullying.
When you settle yourself on a carrel in D.H. Hill, try not to delude yourself into thinking you’ve earned a three-hour TikTok binge just for typing your name on the essay you heroically postponed until the day it’s due — on the Google Doc you literally just created. The five cups of coffee that you bought were all a lie, and to be sure, your future self will not be thankful that you wasted time watching CupcakKe remixes and arguing with random people with the help of your three alternate accounts. Get a grip.