The TikTok ban has been a rather polarizing issue in recent U.S. political decisions. Between the push to migrate to another Chinese app, Xiaohongshu, and concerns that the ban could set a dangerous precedent, people have made plenty of arguments against banning TikTok. However, banning TikTok was the right decision, especially given the current tensions between the U.S. and China.
The primary issue addressed in the Congressional meeting was the threat of potential data theft by China, particularly if the data ended up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This is a completely valid concern, as, according to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the CCP forces companies like ByteDance to hand over user data, particularly that of U.S. citizens. This is essentially foreign espionage being conducted on U.S. citizens, and people are unknowingly agreeing to be surveilled.
Beyond national security concerns, TikTok itself is harmful to consumers. According to studies conducted by psychologists, doomscrolling leads to higher levels of psychological distress and lower overall life satisfaction. A ban would have prevented people from accessing one of the most widely used platforms for doomscrolling, ultimately contributing to better mental health.
Finally, even if TikTok is temporarily back, it is likely to be banned again. The threat of a ban has loomed over the U.S. for years, and all Trump has done is delay it by a few days. The only way TikTok could remain permanently is if it were sold to an American company—something ByteDance has repeatedly stated it does not intend to do. Unless Trump manages to convince Congress and the House to repeal the legislation already in place, there isn’t much he can do. So, enjoy TikTok while you still can, because it will likely be gone again soon enough.