A potential ban on one of the highest social medias used, TikTok has sparked. A widespread debate has begun even including News channels and President Donald Trump speaking on the issue. With concerns over national privacy, data security, and influence on cultural dynamics the ban was brought about. Government officials have raised alarms over TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and alleged ties to foreign countries. TikTok bans are threatened practically every year, however; this ban has an official date, Jan. 18, 2025. What does this mean for the active users of TikTok though? Users that use TikTok as a platform for entertainment, education, community, and even a source of income; what will they be left to do?

TikTok is used by many of all ages but the target audience being younger ages. At Rocky Mountain, most highschoolers have TikTok and use it daily. Mylee Goto, a junior stated she was upset about the ban and that she “Would miss the dances the most.”

Chloe Reynolds, also a junior at Rocky, was asked her opinion on the ban to which she replied with, “I am sad about it, and I am going to miss posting on my spam account, the most.”

Ava Carlson, a senior at Rocky, offered an optimistic outlook on the ban in which she stated, “I’m so mad but it will be okay because Mr. Beast is going to buy it.”

However, not just the students of Rocky are affected by the ban, but even the Staff and their families. Ryan one of the security guards has a wife who posts frequently on TikTok and has a large fan base of thousands. Ryan stated that his wife was “nervous” and is “hoping for the best.”

TikTok being a platform to millions has given people opportunities they never would have had and even made many famous. To creators with big fan bases that have made their whole life uploading and interacting, their incomes are at extreme risk. The community faces risks as well of losing connection to those on the app and things taught on the app.

The main component of TikTok is the community and the daily posts. TikTok would not be TikTok if the ban was not taken and made into a joke. Several videos have been posted by users expressing their feelings on the ban in a joking way. Videos display a photo of someone waving goodbye or being sad with the caption “Me saying goodbye to my Chinese Spy, after all these years together.” These posts encase TikTok perfectly because it shows the fun and entertaining platform creators have made it to be.

So, will this be the end of the scroll?