TikTok Influencers Speak Out Against Possible Ban in the U.S.
TikTok Influencers Fight Back Against Possible Ban in the U.S.
TikTok influencers, who are used to having their voices heard by thousands on the popular social media app, are now speaking out against efforts in Congress to potentially ban the platform in the United States. The House recently passed bipartisan legislation that would require TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a ban in the U.S. The bill is now headed to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain.
Influencers are rallying against the ban, arguing that it would not only hurt their businesses but also dissolve a thriving online community with over 170 million American users. Many influencers took to Capitol Hill to fight the bill, and leading up to the House vote, TikTok users were urged to contact their members of Congress.
Content creators like Lynda Truong and Paul Tran, who have a beauty brand with nearly 140,000 followers on TikTok, expressed their concerns about the potential ban. They estimate that 95% of their sales are tied to the platform and believe a ban would be devastating for their business.
Other influencers, like Sophie Beren and Ophelia Nichols, highlighted the positive impact TikTok has had on their lives and communities. Beren, the founder of The Conversationalist, emphasized that many Gen Z users rely on TikTok for income and see it as a platform for empowerment and connection.
Nichols, who has over 12.5 million followers on TikTok, shared a heartwarming story of how she walked a bride down the aisle after the bride reached out to her on the platform. She emphasized the value TikTok brings to people’s lives and criticized lawmakers for not understanding its impact.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S., influencers are determined to continue advocating for the platform and the community it has built. They believe that TikTok is more than just a social media app and serves as a platform for creativity, connection, and support.