Time is TikToking

TikTok, the popular short-form video app, is a defining feature of teenage life today and a fundamental part of the Gen Z identity. Since its release in 2016, it has grown to be one of the most popular apps with over 170 million users in the United States alone. However, the app has been facing legal trouble in the United States. The Supreme Court believes TikTok poses a national security threat since they claim that the Chinese government could gain access to sensitive user data through the app. A ban was put in place on January 19th to the dismay of many teenagers. They didn’t have to go without their favorite social media app for long though since this short-lived ban only lasted a few hours before an executive order signed by President Trump granted TikTok a 75-day grace period to find a U.S. buyer.

The debate over the TikTok ban has led to a lot of reflection from Grier students as they consider whether the app is really beneficial to their life. Like most social media outlets, TikTok does take up a considerable amount of students’ time and focus. Even self-proclaimed TikTok enthusiast 10th grader, Sofi Jones, admits that TikTok impacts her ability to focus on schoolwork. “If TikTok wasn’t here, I think I would be a more efficient student,” Jones said.  Jones averages approximately five hours of screen time a day, which is not unusual for Gen Z students. However, despite the time it takes away from her studies, Jones still expressed her relief at having the platform, saying, “TikTok connects us in a way other apps don’t.”

TikTok’s ability to increase connection among young people was also a prevalent theme in my interview with Grier’s own niche equestrian micro-influencer, Gia McIntyre, ‘26. She explained that her equestrian TikTok page allows her to connect with the horse community beyond Grier. “Having a small TikTok community within the horse niche has allowed me to build relationships, such as mutuals who follow me and connect with my relatable horse content.” McIntyre said. She shared that equestrian boarding schools are a source of fascination for many of her followers. “Some girls have been inspired to look into the possibility of riding at the high school level through my TikTok, which is awesome.” Many of McIntyre’s TikToks have amassed tens of thousands of likes. When asked if garnering attention online is important to her, McIntyre said, “It’s flattering; however, I don’t have a big reaction to it. I don’t want it to get to my head.” 

Though McIntyre has had many positive experiences on TikTok, she also shed light on some of the challenges that come with being an athlete on social media. “There is a struggle with horse athletes when they see others with such different experiences, which can distort their view of their own accomplishments,” McIntyre said. 

It seems that TikTok has as many dualities as the people who use it. Its prevalence, especially among the youth of America, makes it a necessary part of the national conversation and our conversations about social media here at Grier. While TikTok’s future is still uncertain as the 75-day grace period ticks away, the long-term impact of the app is clear. The country waits to see what happens next in this ongoing technological saga.