With the impending ban of TikTok, a popular social media app, users are upset and anxious about its future. As the days are ticking down, all that is left to wonder is how this ban will affect users and what will happen when TikTok is banned in the United States.

In Sept. 2016, TikTok made its debut and became one of the most downloaded apps worldwide. Last year, the government passed a law that required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to either sell the platform to a U.S. Company or face a shutdown in the country on Jan. 19, 2025. The reason for the ban is due to ByteDance being controlled by the Chinese government. Congress believes that since the Chinese government now has access to American users’ information, it is a national security threat. 

The news of the possible TikTok ban spread quickly and users immediately started posting about it. Many of the users disputed the law and claimed that shutting down TikTok in the U.S. would violate the First Amendment, as it would take away their freedom of speech rights.

“I feel like my rights are being taken away since on TikTok a lot of people express themselves,” commented Rylie Masterson.

If TikTok were to get banned, what would that mean for U.S. users? Well, if that were to happen, people would no longer be able to download TikTok on their phones. Those who already have it would simply not be able to update it anymore. Eventually, the app would simply stop working.

Users are now scrambling in search of another platform to switch to. Among those, areis Youtube Shorts and Instagram Reels. 

“I would switch to Instagram Reels as I’ve recently discovered that,” answered Ms. Nabat when referring to asked what platform she would move to after TikTok. 

Xiaohongshu, otherwise known as RedNote, is the leading contender for the new TikTok replacement. RedNote was the most downloaded app on Jan. 14, 2025. TikTok users are now known as “TikTok Refugees” on the app. Ironically, the app is Chinese-owned and the RedNote users are welcoming the TikTok users with open arms.

With Jan. 19th approaching fast, the question of TikTok’s fate lingers in the air. Whatever happens, there will definitely be reactions and emotions from its users and community. Whether it’s sadness or happiness, the impact of the decision made will forever be remembered in the hearts of its users.