This may be an unpopular opinion but I'm glad to see it go simply for it's damage to mental health, and the continued trend toward watering down the complexity of the human condition into easily digestible squares.
I absolutely agree. I feel for those who have built their livelihoods on it, but also... GO OUTSIDE, Y'ALL. I had TikTok for a week and it was awful for my mental health.
Yes, and the question must be asked, "why is everyone so desperate to distract themselves?". A culture of urgency and production has been pushed so far that people are desperate for fast ways to "zone out/unwind". And while I understand the need to soothe your nervous system, it's a short term solution with SO many negative and unseen repercussions at both the individual and societal level. I went social media sober last year and I can tell you since then my anxiety has significantly decreased, I make an effort to forge real life connections with people in my real life community and am confident in my own choices (a direct result of not having ten thousand opinions shoved at me via social media platforms). I won't say this is everyone's experience, but I think few are brave enough to cut social media and see what it feels like to be alone with youself.
I deactivated my last remaining social account a few weeks ago- you’ve reaffirmed I made the right decision! I am excited to get to the same point you are at now.
Where did the concern that ByteDance is associated with the Chinese government come from? Are they? If a ban took place, does that prevent Americans from having any app that is made by a Chinese company? Has China done anything to infer they’ve collected TikTok data to use in some way? I obviously have lots of questions. My TikTok algorithm shows book recommendations and funny videos. What could possibly be the benefit of collecting data on that? What would stop China from collecting data on any other social media platform such as Instagram? Or spreading propaganda via accounts on other social media platforms.
If you’re wondering more about why American officials on both sides of the aisle are concerned, I recommend watching this segment from 60 Minutes from 2023: https://youtu.be/ikh3ncJZPTU?si=qq6WeJKal7RWaKke
I DON'T use TikTok but my Gen Z sons do (24/27)...for entertainment...nothing else tho. My younger son said GOOD when I asked him if he knew it might be gone soon. He says it's a time suck that he will be happy to not have available! I'm happy to see it go as well. From what my boys show me, it's either just goofy videos or misinformation (or both) and very little constructive content. We need to do better.
So is it better than someone like Elon Musk or Amazon (Bezos) to buy the app? To me that seems just as dangerous. The alternative is not another app. The alternative from a national security standpoint is somehow making it illegal or disadvantageous to make money by influencers and companies on the app itself perhaps. I know that’s far fetched and not feasible. These social apps are equivalent to cigarettes when they were everywhere in our culture. No one ever thought they would go away and while they haven’t completely they are a lot less prevalent bc of the education and laws that target the product. Social media apps need more laws to protect the users.
I completely agree with Chief Justice Roberts' statement on this issue. And, while there are other Chinese owned apps that could replace TikTok...it's important that this case be heard and decided in order to establish precedent. Removing TikTok from ByteDance (Chinese control), and seamlessly allowing American ownership would be the best case scenario. However, I find it hard to believe that American tech companies aren't ready to launch their own versions at the outset of a TikTok "ban" in the event that ByteDance refuses to facilitate a sale.
I’m not sure if anyone would know this but how would the ban look? For example, if someone from were visiting from outside the US, can they access Tik Tok while they are here? Just curious.
Isn’t there an American developer that can make something similar? Not that I want them too. (I think TikTok has been harmful for mental health). Why is the Biden administration now trying to block the law from going in to effect on Sunday?
There are other similar apps- also owned by China- that are not included in this case. How would those be affected? I think Chinas influence in America is frightening however I am more concerned about the sheer amount of real estate China and Chinese foreign nationals own.
This may be an unpopular opinion but I'm glad to see it go simply for it's damage to mental health, and the continued trend toward watering down the complexity of the human condition into easily digestible squares.
I absolutely agree. I feel for those who have built their livelihoods on it, but also... GO OUTSIDE, Y'ALL. I had TikTok for a week and it was awful for my mental health.
Yes, and the question must be asked, "why is everyone so desperate to distract themselves?". A culture of urgency and production has been pushed so far that people are desperate for fast ways to "zone out/unwind". And while I understand the need to soothe your nervous system, it's a short term solution with SO many negative and unseen repercussions at both the individual and societal level. I went social media sober last year and I can tell you since then my anxiety has significantly decreased, I make an effort to forge real life connections with people in my real life community and am confident in my own choices (a direct result of not having ten thousand opinions shoved at me via social media platforms). I won't say this is everyone's experience, but I think few are brave enough to cut social media and see what it feels like to be alone with youself.
I deactivated my last remaining social account a few weeks ago- you’ve reaffirmed I made the right decision! I am excited to get to the same point you are at now.
I'm excited for you!
I’ll sit on the unpopular bus with you and agree. My teens aren’t even interested in joining TikTok and for that, I am glad!
Where did the concern that ByteDance is associated with the Chinese government come from? Are they? If a ban took place, does that prevent Americans from having any app that is made by a Chinese company? Has China done anything to infer they’ve collected TikTok data to use in some way? I obviously have lots of questions. My TikTok algorithm shows book recommendations and funny videos. What could possibly be the benefit of collecting data on that? What would stop China from collecting data on any other social media platform such as Instagram? Or spreading propaganda via accounts on other social media platforms.
Really good article that answers many of your questions: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2024/06/18/who-owns-tiktok-bytedance/73691106007/
If you’re wondering more about why American officials on both sides of the aisle are concerned, I recommend watching this segment from 60 Minutes from 2023: https://youtu.be/ikh3ncJZPTU?si=qq6WeJKal7RWaKke
These were very helpful! Thank you for sharing.
I DON'T use TikTok but my Gen Z sons do (24/27)...for entertainment...nothing else tho. My younger son said GOOD when I asked him if he knew it might be gone soon. He says it's a time suck that he will be happy to not have available! I'm happy to see it go as well. From what my boys show me, it's either just goofy videos or misinformation (or both) and very little constructive content. We need to do better.
So is it better than someone like Elon Musk or Amazon (Bezos) to buy the app? To me that seems just as dangerous. The alternative is not another app. The alternative from a national security standpoint is somehow making it illegal or disadvantageous to make money by influencers and companies on the app itself perhaps. I know that’s far fetched and not feasible. These social apps are equivalent to cigarettes when they were everywhere in our culture. No one ever thought they would go away and while they haven’t completely they are a lot less prevalent bc of the education and laws that target the product. Social media apps need more laws to protect the users.
I completely agree with Chief Justice Roberts' statement on this issue. And, while there are other Chinese owned apps that could replace TikTok...it's important that this case be heard and decided in order to establish precedent. Removing TikTok from ByteDance (Chinese control), and seamlessly allowing American ownership would be the best case scenario. However, I find it hard to believe that American tech companies aren't ready to launch their own versions at the outset of a TikTok "ban" in the event that ByteDance refuses to facilitate a sale.
I’m not sure if anyone would know this but how would the ban look? For example, if someone from were visiting from outside the US, can they access Tik Tok while they are here? Just curious.
Isn’t there an American developer that can make something similar? Not that I want them too. (I think TikTok has been harmful for mental health). Why is the Biden administration now trying to block the law from going in to effect on Sunday?
There are other similar apps- also owned by China- that are not included in this case. How would those be affected? I think Chinas influence in America is frightening however I am more concerned about the sheer amount of real estate China and Chinese foreign nationals own.
So glad to have you "in the room", Sharon! Reporting we can trust. Thank you.