The dreaded TikTok ban didn’t even last long enough for me to get a blog post up before it was over. Barely 12 hours after going dark, the servers were turned back on and TikTok restored service to its 170 million American users. But in those hours of chaos, as millions of people were greeted with a pop-up message asking them to “stay tuned” for what’s to come, the harsh reality of not being able to scroll had me asking myself a troubling question. What is the implication of cutting off American citizens to this globally connected platform? Why exactly are people so upset about this? Banning TikTok might seem as simple as cutting off our ability to make and watch silly videos. But it sheds light on a deeper issue that needs to be addressed: there is an increasingly growing isolation of Americans from the rest of the world.
What Do We Use TikTok For?
At this point, Americans use TikTok for much more than entertainment. The app has become a living search engine where people teach each other new things through short-form video. I use it mainly for entertainment, travel inspiration, and promoting this blog. But it has taught me many useful things I wouldn’t have encountered on another social media platform. For me, TikTok is like having access to a global encyclopedia, run by regular humans around the world.
Why Do They Want To Take It Away?
By now, you’ve probably heard that a Chinese company called ByteDance owns TikTok. Since they purchased and relaunched the app in 2017, it has faced scrutiny by our national security officials. They fear possible “influence” by the Chinese government. Back in April 2024, the Biden administration signed a new law that would ban the use of TikTok in the US, unless they sold to an American-owned company. Under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, the social media company needed to stop operations in the US by January 19, 2025, unless sold to a new owner. Tiktok sued but the Supreme Court did not rule in its favor. Hence, the TikTok blackout of January 19th was born.
Right now we don’t really know what’s going on with the platform. Although TikTok users have access to their platforms again, the app still isn’t available in app stores. Many say that their algorithm is different, or just feels off. I can’t exactly place my finger on it, but I agree. It definitely doesn’t feel the same. The ominous message thanking “President Trump” didn’t really help everyone’s skepticism. Especially since he wasn’t sworn in as President at the time of that message.
The blog post isn’t so much to speculate why the government is doing this. (I think we all have some ideas). But more so to highlight the negative impacts it will have on American citizens, their connection to the world, and the travel industry as a whole.
Negative Implications Of A TikTok Ban
A ban could disrupt these trends in several ways:
A Setback for the U.S. Travel Industry
I believe a TikTok ban in the United States would have profound negative implications for the travel industry. Most seriously, it limits the ability to connect with and inspire potential travelers. TikTok has become a major research tool for discovering new destinations, planning trips, and engaging with real-time travel experiences. For example, back in 2021 when Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall Volcano erupted, I remember my TikTok feed became flooded with spectacular scenes of lava flowing out of the ground. These videos sparked tourists from all over the world flocking to the volcano, in hopes of seeing it erupt for themselves. Without TikTok, I wouldn’t have known it was possible to actually hike near this place for an incredible view. This is still one of the best travel experiences I’ve had to date.
It has also made remote destinations, like Antarctica, go viral and boosted tourism to those places.
A TikTok ban also impacts the travel industry directly through advertisements. For years, travel companies have relied on the platform for user-generated content and organic advertising. “Influencers” have played a pivotal role in highlighting lesser-known travel destinations and experiences, and fostering curiosity about international travel. My initial interest in travel was originally piqued by Instagram. But I haven’t used Instagram to research, or even really showcase my travels in years. Without TikTok, the travel industry will lose a critical marketing tool. Any American company looking to attract tourists will find it harder to reach an audience without TikTok’s algorithm, which excels at connecting creators with niche audiences.
Cutting Off An International Connection
48% of US citizens have a passport, and an even smaller percentage actually use it for international travel. Unlike other nations where taking international trips are common, majority of Americans choose to travel domestically. This is because we don’t get as much PTO compared to other countries. And for us, travel tends to be way more expensive, especially when it comes to flights.
This limited exposure to other countries often results in a narrow worldview that would be further reinforced by the ban. Social media platforms, like the TikTok app, have served as a virtual passport for many U.S. users. Through authentic, unscripted videos, users can explore daily life anywhere in the world. From virtual walking tours, to international Costco hauls, TikTok has been a window into global cultures for those unable to experience them firsthand. Service outages on TikTok for any period of time cuts off an essential lifeline to the wider world.
Limits The Global Community’s Insight To American Culture
A TikTok ban in the United States would significantly limit the global community’s access to realistic insights into American culture. This will create a bigger barrier between US users and the rest of the world. If you’ve ever traveled out of the country and taken the time to talk to locals, you know that there are huge misconceptions of how Americans actually live. For the first time, Tiktok has shown people original accounts of ordinary American life. People are usually surprised by the long hours we work, having to have more than one job to pay the bills, how little time off we get, etc.. In this way it offers an avenue for cultural exchange, as creators respond to trends and questions posed by users from other countries, fostering mutual understanding.
A ban would disrupt this organic cultural exchange, leaving international audiences with fewer avenues to experience the modern, nuanced facets of American society. This isolation could deepen existing stereotypes or misconceptions about the United States, as other platforms often fail to capture the same authenticity that TikTok gives. In a time when cross-cultural understanding is critical, removing such a powerful platform for cultural sharing could widen the gap between Americans and the global community.
My Conclusion: This Isn’t A Good Idea
As a traveler, I have deep concerns about what a ban on TikTok would mean for American citizens. It isn’t just a technological or political issue—it’s a cultural one. By cutting off access to a platform that facilitates global connection, the U.S. risks further isolating its citizens from the rest of the world. With limited travel opportunities and a reduced ability to engage with global cultures, Americans are at risk of becoming unknowingly narrow-minded.
But despite the alleged “national security concerns”, TikTok lives on. Content creators are still debating whether or not the algorithm that bonded us has changed. But at least we know that we can freely speculate about it on the platform… for now. What we experienced on Saturday night might just be a taste of what’s to come. President Trump said he would give a 90-day extension to figure out what will happen with the platform. And for now, we can only speculate how a joint venture with the U.S. would change how people are allowed to express themselves on the platform.
If you’re looking for more ways to stay connected to the world, despite the ongoing TikTok issue, check out the latest articles on our blog.