Lucy Thomas: Love it or hate it, the influential and popular platform TikTok is in the process of being banned. With mounting debates around national security, geopolitical tensions and data privacy the platform is fighting to maintain its hold in US citizens daily routine. Today, I, Lucy Thomas, will be discussing changes in the lives of TikTok users and potential solutions with junior Ali Manzoor and senior Victor Valdez. Welcome to the Trending Podcast and I hope you enjoy our conversation.
Hi Ali, welcome to the trending podcast. Thank you for joining me today. Today, we’re going to be talking about TikTok being banned, and I was hoping that you could enlighten me on maybe your TikTok use.
Manzoor: Yeah, so I would say I use TikTok pretty often, probably around 30-45 minutes a day, you know, just when I’m just chilling at home or whatever.
Thomas: And how long have you been on TikTok? Like, how big of a part of your life has it been?
Manzoor: Probably since freshman year.
Thomas: TikTok has been on the verge of being banned for a pretty long time. Now. How are your feelings about this maybe happening pretty soon?
Manzoor: That’d be—I wouldn’t—that’d be kind of sad, because I actually enjoy using it, but I feel like there are other apps where you can, like, do the same thing that you do on TikTok, like Instagram, like Instagram reels or whatever. So, yeah, I don’t think it really matters that much.
Thomas: Do you have any particular TikTok influencers that you follow?
Manzoor: Not, in particular, just anything that’s on my FYP.
Thomas: And are you also an avid Instagram reels watcher?
Manzoor: Not really, but like, if TikTok gets banned, then I’ll just go on Instagram reels, but I don’t really do that now.
Thomas: And I guess, in combination with SPA’s phone use policy, TikTok being banned—could you see this detracting from your screen time, or do you not think it’ll have much of an impact?
Manzoor: I don’t think it’ll have much of an impact. I already don’t really scroll TikTok at school or anything. So I just do it at home, like in my free time. So I guess, like, not really, at least for me personally, but I feel like for other people, it could definitely.
Thomas: And do you see your friends on TikTok a lot?
Manzoor: Sometimes, yeah.
Thomas: And then, what do you think about the reasons that TikTok is being banned? What’s your understanding of that at the moment?
Manzoor: I have no idea, actually, okay. I have no idea as to why it’s being banned, but I assume it’s something with, like, I think I heard something about data, something like data stealing, or something of that sort. But I’m not really sure. I’m not really—I haven’t read too much into that.
Thomas: They are doing it for national security and the fear that, like, China is taking data from Americans. Do you ever feel like your information is sort of out there with TikTok?
Manzoor: I mean, I feel like that’s like with any social media. I feel like your information would be out there, but, like, I’ve never felt scared or anything because of it like that. Like, I feel like there’s too much out there. Yeah, I don’t know. Yeah. I’ve never really felt like I have no privacy or anything when using it. But I don’t know.
Thomas: What are some final thoughts that you have?
Manzoor: I mean, I enjoy using TikTok, but if it were to get banned—like, well, it wouldn’t be great. Like, I would—I feel like I’d move on fast. Because, like, I already don’t use it that much, and I guess it would be better for me because I can use that time to spend more on, like, other things that I enjoy, like school and just, like, you know, other stuff. I feel like. So, yeah.
Thomas: And what would you encourage your friends to do instead of going on TikTok?
Manzoor: Talk to each other, socialize, do homework, just watch TV, I guess.
Thomas: Wise words. Okay, yeah. Well, thank you so much for joining me today, and I really appreciate your opinions. Hi Victor, welcome to the trending Podcast. Today we’re discussing the banning of TikTok, and I’m wondering your perspective on what you think of TikTok getting banned.
Valdez: Yeah, I used to use TikTok, but I’ve since switched over to Instagram reels. I don’t really care about TikTok getting banned anymore, but my condolences to people who use TikTok, I guess.
Thomas: And why did you decide to make the switch to Instagram reels?
Valdez: I didn’t have Instagram, but once I downloaded it, I liked seeing who liked reels, and I think TikTok is kind of boring. I don’t know.
Thomas: Are you at all concerned about data privacy in your TikTok versus Instagram usage?
Valdez: I think my data is getting stolen either way, and I don’t really care if it’s going to the US or China.
Thomas: And what would you say about Instagram reels, and would you recommend it to others?
Valdez: I would not recommend reels to others. I think it’s kind of horrible. Don’t start using it.
Thomas: And is there any other thing that you recommend people do instead of TikTok?
Valdez: I think you should uninstall TikTok and stay off of the short form content and watch YouTube instead because it’s a lot better.
Thomas: Okay, thank you so much for your perspective. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Valdez: I don’t think so.
Thomas: Well, thank you so much for joining me today, and thank you for tuning in to the [TRENDING] podcast today. I urge you too to reflect on your titkok usage and comment an opinion. If you have any questions or comments please reach out to me at [email protected]. Make sure to stay tuned to new episodes of the trending podcast at the start of every month.