TikTok is at an existential crossroads, facing an unprecedented global crackdown and possible ban in the US, and TikTok creators are caught in the balance.
The platform is under bipartisan scrutiny over allegations that its parent company, ByteDance, is influenced by the government in China, where it is based. But those concerns have yet to dampen public enthusiasm: The app is more popular than ever, now exceeding 150 million active users in the US.
The world of TikTok is unique and diverse, from people sharing pet videos or doing live ASMR shows, to building a community around hobbies like cooking and gardening. The creators have protested the ban outside Congress, saying it would diminish the ability to use TikTok to generate income or as a networking and educational tool.
So how do these creators feel about this moment? We asked a variety of people to describe their experience on the app and what will happen if it goes away.
Nathalie Adkins and her son, RJ
Drive: @natlivingselfcare
TikTok Follower Count: 53,300 followers
Main content: A cooking vlog where Nathalie’s 9-year-old son, RJ Nathan Phillips, tries out recipes from different cultures and shares the process and results.
How she and her son use TikTok: When I first got involved with TikTok, I was using it for information and tutorials. One day, my son said that he wanted to make noodles, so I said, “Okay, can I film you making noodles?” It got such rave reviews that I started posting every time he cooks.
It really brought him out of his shell because he’s neurodivergent and not very expressive. Since we started this journey, he suddenly wants to comment, he wants to dance, he wants to plan his next video. The contrast has been amazing.
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It’s easier to find community on TikTok. Now my son, a black kid from Los Angeles, has made 17 international dishes, connecting him with communities of people from Armenia, Korea and China, who love him because he appreciates his culture.
If something were to happen to my son, as he grows into a young black man, I want people to see him as a human being. I want to know that people will stand up for him. He won’t be alone. That’s why I do it.
On how a ban would affect them: We’ll be fine, but it will make me feel somehow about our government and my first amendment rights. It’s not just about TikTok, it’s about how our elected officials are using their power to keep us down. We’ll survive without TikTok, but it makes me anxious that something like this could be removed so quickly.
On the broader impact: I have connected with many Gen Z TikTokers who are ready to fight. It’s not just about TikTok, it’s about older people who don’t know anything about technology trying to restrict it. You are going to turn a group of young people into political activists.
ross pomerantz
Drive: @corporate.bro
TikTok Follower Count: 206,500
Main content: Satirical videos about millennial business life
How he uses TikTok: I got into TikTok about three years ago. It was like every millennial becoming the boomer they never thought they’d become, like, “This is for the kids. I don’t want to learn another platform.” But I got on it and started making videos.
It’s fascinating because building a following doesn’t really matter – you can still go viral if you don’t have a following. So in terms of generating a revenue stream, it’s less effort to make videos that perform well, and in that sense, it’s been good. It’s a great place to find new fans and gain new audiences.
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On how a ban would affect him: It would certainly hurt the end result. But as a creator who uses multiple platforms, it won’t impact me as much. It’s a huge sandbox to play in, but the best content I make, I cross-post.
On the broader impact: I think TikTok’s style of content creation will eventually migrate to other platforms. people have assumed [the action against TikTok] It’s been the result of Meta’s lobbying, but I think YouTube will actually be the main benefactor.
Who knows? Maybe a US-based copycat will pop up instead of TikTok and we’ll be back full circle. People are going to rage for a few weeks like they are with any major issue. The question is: what will they do about it?
Alexis Devine and Bunny the dog
Drive: @rabbit
TikTok Follower Count: 8.3m
Main content: Bunny the dog communicates with her caregivers through buttons that transmit objects, ideas and feelings.
How he uses TikTok: I started a TikTok account in early 2020 to document the success my dog Bunny was having communicating with programmable buttons. Building an audience on TikTok happened very quickly and led to the development of a much larger community of humans using buttons to enable alternative methods of communication with their animal companions.
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Many of these people are now participants in a research study. I’m not sure without TikTok that would have been possible.
On how a ban would affect her: I make a little money from the creator’s fund on TikTok. The loss of that income would not have a significant impact on my life right now, but as an independent contractor, everything matters.
On the broader impact: I don’t think there’s a comparable platform out there right now, and while creators and viewers will have no choice but to try and find other platforms and communities to thrive on, it won’t be the same.
I have learned a lot from the educational content on TikTok. Content that is niche, authentic, invaluable, and the kind I haven’t found on other platforms. The loss of TikTok would be a huge blow not only to creators who depend on TikTok income, but also to me, a lifelong learner.
Alexander Maupin
Drive: @alex_makes1
TikTok Follower Count: 160,700 followers
Main content: Alexander produces a variety of content, but has gained a significant following for live videos of them individually popping popcorn with a hair straightener.
How they use TikTok: I do a little of everything. Last year, I was dealing with a lot of depression and anxiety and I ran into another Live user who was making popcorn, but he was very low-key and sort of an ASMR vibe. So I flipped the script and got colored lights and a huge speaker. I just try to be as entertaining as possible.
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On how a ban would affect them: TikTok is more about community. I met so many interesting people on TikTok with similar interests to mine that I would never have met on Facebook or Instagram. If he disappeared, it would be very sad because he would lose a lot of friends overnight.
On the broader impact: People are resilient: they will congregate elsewhere. There are 150 million users in the US and that will give people a lot of downtime; It will be interesting to see what they do with it. I think this will create further momentum for reform.
Questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity.
