Source: AFP
TikTok creators expressed outrage on Wednesday at proposed legislation that could destroy the platform in the United States, saying it defies common sense and economic wisdom.
The House of Representatives has approved a bill that would force TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner or be banned over alleged ties to the Communist Party in Beijing.
“If it was really all they said, then we’d be having this conversation with (X owner) Elon Musk, who could basically change American politics on a whim,” TikTok creator Ariella Elm told AFP. outside the White House.
Elm, a self-described political activist, has about 287,000 followers on TikTok.
President Joe Biden says he would sign the bill into law if it came to his desk, but the bill must first pass the Senate.
![](https://images.yen.com.gh/images/859c8e66205b0284.jpg?impolicy=cropped-image&imwidth=256)
![](https://images.yen.com.gh/images/859c8e66205b0284.jpg?impolicy=cropped-image&imwidth=256)
Read also
He wronged the Postmaster General of the United Kingdom to have the convictions quashed
“There’s a good chance it will get banned, which is crazy,” fellow TikTok creator Nathan Espinoza, who uses the handle “beowulftiktok,” told AFP. “Legislators don’t understand how big this issue is.”
“My entire comments section on the videos I’ve posted about this is just flooded with an overwhelmingly negative response, where people are not happy about it at all.”
TikTok has been adamant that the Chinese government not pull its strings.
“A lot of these lawmakers are making it sound like it’s just full of Chinese propaganda or full of messages from the Chinese Communist Party,” Espinoza said.
“But for me, it’s really been the only social media where I’ve seen an even representation of all sides of politics.”
New users, new voters
![](https://images.yen.com.gh/images/3115c9c9477d92de.jpg?impolicy=cropped-image&imwidth=256)
![](https://images.yen.com.gh/images/3115c9c9477d92de.jpg?impolicy=cropped-image&imwidth=256)
![](https://images.yen.com.gh/images/3115c9c9477d92de.jpg?impolicy=cropped-image&imwidth=256)
Read also
China warns proposed TikTok ban will ‘come back to bite’ US
TikTok plays an important role in the digital media industry and in terms of marketing, especially for small businesses, Espinoza thought.
Millions of people from politicians to teenagers to entrepreneurs would feel the pinch if TikTok shut down in the United States, agreed lifestyle content creator Stephen King, whose “btypep” account has 6.8 million followers.
“There’s no sense of community on any other platform compared to what TikTok has created,” King said.
Summer Lucille, whose TikTok account Juicy Body Goddess has 1.4 million followers, described the platform as rich with raw, real-time information and a “like gold” recommendation algorithm.
Espinoza, who recently turned 18, also believes elected officials who support the bill will be in for a “big shock” as he and the TikTok-loving demographic express their anger at the ballot box.
“This is my first vote and many people my age are against this TikTok ban,” Espinoza said.
![](https://images.yen.com.gh/images/3115c9c9477d92de.jpg?impolicy=cropped-image&imwidth=256)
![](https://images.yen.com.gh/images/3115c9c9477d92de.jpg?impolicy=cropped-image&imwidth=256)
![](https://images.yen.com.gh/images/3115c9c9477d92de.jpg?impolicy=cropped-image&imwidth=256)
Read also
The US House will vote to ban TikTok
Some TikTok users, however, told AFP they were open to legislation that could protect them as well as defend national security.
“The addiction aspect is something we don’t really talk about,” Victor Pelatere, a 20-year-old Boston resident, told AFP.
“The whole idea of ββTikTok brain rot — massive dopamine spikes and no attention span — that kind of stuff is good for banning.”
Annmarie Fitzgerald, 22, from Boston, was among those who spoke about overusing TikTok.
“Think back a few years ago, we didn’t have it. It’ll be OK if we don’t have it again,” he said.
Source: AFP