Goodbye, TikTok?
By now, you’ve seen the news that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law banning TikTok beginning Sunday, unless it is purchased by a U.S. entity.
What does that mean for those who use the application? Truthfully, no one knows yet.
Many say that Americans will still have access to the app, but users will no longer be able to download updates, eventually rendering it to be unusable. Others are advising folks to download their saved videos, bookmarks, etc. before Sunday “just in case.”
But EVERYONE is talking about it.
It’s a hot topic, and for good reason—it’s about more than just viral dances and funny videos.
There are so many detriments to the TikTok ban, including thousands whose livelihood comes from this app—whether being employed by TikTok themselves or the content creators—and will now be without a source of income.
I wrote separately about the small businesses and nonprofits who have benefitted so greatly from TikTok, who now are scrambling to find new ways to harness their communities from the app and find a way to keep those audiences.
But the part that’s hitting me the hardest is the loss of the TikTok culture.
In my opinion, the community on TikTok is so superior to every other social media platform—like, it’s not even close. My feed was constantly wholesome content. Comment sections were fun and positive instead of the vitriol I constantly see on other platforms.
I’ve seen a lot of recommendations to turn your social strategy to include/focus on other short-form video platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. And maybe that is part of the long-term strategy for social media in a post-TikTok world.
But I also feel like it dismisses some of the feelings we’re all having right now.
We’re not worried about losing a feed of videos to mindlessly scroll through. It isn’t about the type of CONTENT, it’s the type of COMMUNITY that TikTok provides.
People on TikTok seemed to GENIUNELY care about others in the app’s community. Complete strangers liking, commenting, and sharing on people’s posts about a loved one getting cancer treatments or a beloved pet passing away. Not to mention the way users have come together to support those affected by the LA fires, which I talk about in my last post.
I don’t know what’s next. I don’t know that any current platform—or one not yet created—can recreate that culture.
But to leave on a lighter note, I leave you with this:
