TikTok officially went dark due to the ban upheld by the Supreme Court. The ban was under the guise of a threat to national security data. Interestingly, the only social media that has been banned is TikTok. Like millions of users of the app, I joined in 2020 during the Pandemic as a way to escape. I was laughing and being entertained but I was also learning and healing. TikTok has become more than an app for trending sounds and videos, it has become a form of community for millions of people around the world. TikTok is a platform filled with individuals being silly or educating people on a variety of topics from history to mental health. Another thing that makes TikTok so unique is the algorithm which really curates content for the individual user. But the most powerful tool of TikTok (in my opinion) is that TikTok allows people from around the world to experience and discuss topics and events in real-time which challenges a scripted narrative.

Interestingly, Facebook and Instagram haven’t faced the same fate as TikTok and that has so many TikTok users asking why? We know the answer, this ban was never about a threat to national security… this ban is about money and control.

Personally, I don’t think this is the end of TikTok, however, the next 24-48 hours will give us a better idea of where we stand.