On Jan. 19, TikTok, the
wildly popular short-form video app, was banned nationwide. This ban occurred because of a law passed in 2024 by a bipartisan majority in Congress. It was agreed that TikTok was unconstitutionally gathering users’ data and negatively influencing their habits and minds.
However, the app was quickly available again and 14 hours later, almost 170 million screens displayed the message: “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.”
This lift was met with mixed reactions; some were grateful to have the app back, while others wished its ban had lasted longer.
“I was actually excited for the ban,” senior Ada Ray said. “I had a strong love-hate relationship with TikTok. I know that a lot of people really like TikTok, and it is a really big part of our generation as a whole. But, at the same time, I’ve noticed that my screen time has gone down so much since deleting TikTok. I feel like I’m living my life more, and I’m not just on my phone all the time. I think that my friends and I, and honestly everyone in our generation, could benefit from that a little bit.”
For some users, TikTok’s sudden inaccessibility drew attention to their dependence on the app.
“I [used to] fill every moment of my day with TikTok. The moments I was by myself, I’d watch it. But this ban has forced me to acknowledge nature, or read a book, or socialize, so it’s made me open up as a person rather than isolate me,” junior Dakota Risley said.
History instructor Daisy Altamirano agreed that the absence of TikTok allowed more time for hobbies.
“My screen time went down by almost 60%. And I feel like I’ve had more time to do other things. I started reading again, which has been nice,” Altamirano said.
However, others feel that TikTok is a positive platform when used in moderation.
“If you’re on there for a long time, it can definitely affect your mental health negatively. But, it really depends on the side of TikTok that you’re on. There are really funny and positive sides of TikTok, too, that can really boost your mood, which is why I like the app. It’s a moment of relaxation in the day when you just need a break to laugh,” freshman Anya Taylor said.
Almost immediately after the ban’s lift, people quickly fell back into their old habits without questioning the potential benefits of reducing their online activity.
To navigate a world still heavily reliant on social media, School Counselor Kim Valentine recommends that students ask themselves how they feel after spending time on an app.
“Some advice would be for kids to ask themselves the question, ‘After I’m on this, do I get energized or excited about something?’” Valentine said.
Though there are ways to use the app in moderation, it can still be tempting to slip into the ease and routine of scrolling mindlessly through TikTok.
With its seemingly endless amount of content, an algorithm designed to suck its users in, and its incredible ability to spark global phenomena, TikTok can feel impossible to escape from.
Consequently, a nationwide ban could help everyone do just that.
Without the fear of missing out on a viral video, not understanding the latest reference, or wearing clothes that are not trending, everybody could collectively curb their reliance on TikTok.
