Report: ‘20 Somethings Are Saying No to TikTok’ Amidst Potential Legislation to Ban it in the U.S.
The Wall Street Journal reported that American Gen Z’ers are willing to try cutting ties with the addictive social media platform for their health.
Have you found yourself spending too much time using TikTok?
TikTok is Affecting Lives & Not in a Good Way
Many Americans call TikTok a major “time waster” and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that young adults currently in their late 20s “are noticing that TikTok got in the way of sleep, work, household chores, and relationships” and are willing to give it a break to reclaim their lives.
In fact, almost 9% of TikTok’s average monthly users between the ages of 18 and 24 have scaled back their TikTok usage from 2022 to 2023. (Source: Data.ai)
TikTok claims it has provided tools to “help users limit screen time” such as custom screen-time limits and sleep reminders.
For the record, the people the WSJ interviewed either didn’t know these features existed or ignored the limits altogether.
Nobody ever hits “snooze” on their alarm clock, right?
TikTok is ‘Addictive’
Some could never imagine deleting TikTok from their smartphones, as it has become a part of daily life to “doom scroll” through countless videos throughout the day when one gets “bored” with the humdrum of life.
Sure, it passes the time, but it also steals your attention away from important things, not to mention giving precious time to our little ones, who grow up to emulate their parents.
What is that teaching children when they come to a parent for attention or guidance and cannot get through to Mommy or Daddy who is stuck on their phone?
A woman in NYC stopped using TikTok after it knew her inner thoughts.
Does TikTok Psychoanalyze its Users?
The Wall Street Journal reported that 27-year-old Keilah Bruce started feeling uneasy about TikTok when she reportedly started to get suggestions “that matched her private thoughts” on the app, thinking that it knew her far too well.
She said:
“It’s one thing to know about you and another to know you.” -Keilah Bruce, Accountant in NYC
She also noticed that some of her chores in her daily life were getting neglected because she was too engaged on TikTok.
She told the WSJ that she deleted TikTok “a few times between 2021 and 2023,” but permanently deleted it in Oct. ’23.
Another woman interviewed, 29-year-old Samantha Rodriguez, said that she was so eager to use TikTok that it would “sometimes put her in danger” when she was walking and staring at her phone.
She actually admitted that she would walk into trees and mailboxes.
She also said that staying up late watching TikTok videos affected her work performance the next day and became a “sore subject” with her husband, so she gave it up for good six months ago.
She said:
“Cutting the cord was difficult but worth it.” -Samantha Rodriguez, Idaho resident
Will the U.S. Ban TikTok?
On Friday, President Joe Biden endorsed legislation that would ban TikTok in the United States if TikTok continues to be owned by a Chinese firm.
Associated Press (AP) reported that U.S. legislators continue to request ByteDance of China to “divest ownership of TikTok” in the U.S. or face a ban. This bill is supported by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House press secretary said they would also endorse it, but it “still needs some work.”
President Joe Biden said to reporters:
“If they pass it, I’ll sign it.” -President Joe Biden
AP reported that lawmakers are “concerned that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over data on the 170 million Americans who use TikTok,” posing a national security risk for the U.S.
Question for the Reader
- Do you have the willpower to stop using TikTok?
- Do you think the U.S. should ban TikTok for security concerns?
- Would you be upset if TikTok was banned in the U.S.?
Sources
Hadero, Haleluya. “A bill that could lead to a nation-wide TikTok ban is gaining momentum. Here’s what to know.” AP. 8 March 2024.
Jargon, Julie. “Why Some 20-Somethings Are Saying No to TikTok.” The Wall Street Journal. 9 March 2024.
Madhani, Aamer. “Biden says he’ll sign proposed legislation to ban TikTok if Congress passes it.” AP. 8 March 2024.
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Check out my news reporting on Newsbreak | Zack Love