When I first downloaded TikTok, I thought it would be a fun distraction – silly dance videos, maybe a new recipe or two. I didn’t expect it to become so much more.
After losing my family and what was left of my support system, I felt isolated in my grief and TikTok became a soft place to land. Through heartfelt videos and authentic conversations, I started to open up again and found connection within this quirky little community. TikTok is more than a mere social media app and that’s why the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the ban feels so deeply personal.
The U.S. government’s concerns primarily center on national security, however, there’s one glaring flaw in this argument: There’s no concrete evidence that TikTok poses an actual threat. Given that lack of demonstration, I believe the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the ban was largely rooted in speculation rather than verified risks.
Less about security concerns, this ban represents a very significant and real threat to free speech. If the United States can justify banning TikTok without actual evidence of any wrongdoing, what’s to stop them from targeting others? Allowing the government to regulate platforms, limit online expression, and decide who gets to speak – and who doesn’t – sets a dangerous precedent. It’s a gross overreach of authority and blurs the balance between national security and individual freedoms.
For small businesses, artists, and those unable work outside the home, TikTok has been nothing short of life-changing. It’s helped people build careers, pay mortgages and put food on the table. Taking that away will be a devastating loss of stability and income for millions, and, as usual, will disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
Beyond the economic impact, there’s also the cultural cost to consider. TikTok evolved into an international stage for creativity and collaboration. It’s a space where ideas are born, heritages are shared, and diverse voices come together. Losing the ability to interact with anyone, anywhere in the world, at any time, is losing part of what connects us as a global society.
But that’s what makes TikTok so threatening to the status quo… It’s a powerful platform that can affect change. And change can be frightening for those who fear losing control.
The Supreme Court opinion felt like a betrayal and serves as a reminder of the importance of community – online and offline. Through this app, I’ve connected with people I never would’ve met otherwise – artists, gardeners, fellow spiritualists and everyday individuals who challenged me to grow, think differently, and embrace the messiness of being human.
At its core, this is about our right to connect, organize and create community. They can take our platform, but they can’t take the connections, lessons and growth we gained from it. Whether through other social media channels or by creating entirely new communities, the only ones who are going to fight for us is ourselves.
So, whose car are we takin’?