TikTok Taken Down…but Brought Back!
It feels like just yesterday when TikTok was created. I remember my teachers in school saying that this app would be revolutionary because it would become somewhat of an addiction. My classmates didn’t care about what my professors said, but I didn’t want to buy into the idea of becoming obsessed with myself and social media, so I decided not to download it.
Before discussing further, it’s important to clarify that this is not a critique of those working in social media or social media users. Rather, the focus is on the importance of maintaining a personal heart check in today’s technology-driven world. It is essential to avoid allowing platforms, such as TikTok, to dominate daily life and to instead strike a balance between face-to-face interactions and media. Life is a blessing, and it is crucial to be aware of the potential for social media to become a source of temptation or obsession.
Three years passed, and while my friends were learning silly dances and following new trends, I still had not given in—until 2019 when COVID 19 hit the world. It feels like just yesterday that I finally downloaded the app and started making fun videos. My first video went viral, and random people started following me. I liked the idea of being seen and known—it made me feel important. TikTok made me feel appreciated, like I was somebody, and that’s when I realized I had bought into it.
However, this silly app was never meant to define me. After a heart and spiritual check, I decided to delete the app. You might be wondering why this story is relevant, but I share it because, in 2025, many others around the world had the same realization I did—they had become addicted to TikTok, especially after its ban.
According to Forbes, Congress passed a law in 2024 that not only banned TikTok but other similar apps from foreign countries like China, unless the owners sold the app. The government aimed to ensure privacy and security because apps like TikTok are based in other countries. ByteDance, TikTok’s owner, “has used the app to spy on journalists, and TikTok mishandled sensitive data, including financial information, Social Security numbers, and personal contacts of creators, advertisers, celebrities, and politicians” (IV Antonio Pequeño). However, in the past, TikTok has denied sharing any information with the Chinese government.
On the evening of Jan. 18, 2025, TikTok was shut down in the United States, with a message on American users' iPhones saying, “Due to a law banning TikTok, you cannot use TikTok for now.” On Jan. 19, a nationwide ban on TikTok took effect, and app stores in the United States were no longer allowed to display the app or let people download it.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump wanted to save the app and posted online that he would do so—and he did. TikTok returned online for many American users, sending a popup message that stated: “Welcome back!” and added, “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.”—though it still does not appear to be available on Apple’s App Store (IV Antonio Pequeño). Many Americans, along with several of my friends, felt relief when it was banned. On the day it was no longer accessible, some of my friends were upset, expressing that they didn’t know how to spend their time now that TikTok was no longer available.
This is concerning because it reflects how people have centered their identity around social media and their phones. Activities like going for a walk, running, working out, singing, or simply enjoying nature through clouds and sunsets seem to have lost their appeal. Deleting the app and not re-downloading it after recognizing a misalignment of my priorities in 2019 was a valuable decision.
Deleting TikTok was a challenging decision, but various activities were explored to shift focus away from my phone. Activities such as practicing mindfulness, going on walks, trying breathing exercises, solving puzzles and riddles, reading five books, joining an online Zumba class, journaling, engaging in photography, starting painting sessions, and learning how to ride a bike were all part of the process. These activities are mentioned not as a means of highlighting achievements, but as an invitation for others to step away from their screens during free time and explore something new.
It is not suggested that those who feel strongly about this issue are necessarily addicted to social media or overly focused on TikTok, but rather, to encourage living in the moment and avoiding the waste of time spent staring at a screen. Checking screen time and changing habits—such as reading a book, exercising, going on a nature walk with friends, or engaging in puzzles and brain games—can help promote a more balanced lifestyle. Sharing glimpses of life through social media posts and short videos is not inherently harmful, but it is important to remember to live in the present moment, not through a screen. Life is short, and sometimes the platforms invested in, like TikTok, can suddenly shut down.
Sources
IV, Antonio Pequeño. “Tiktok Ban Timeline: Tiktok Returns to U.S. App Stores-for Now.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025, www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/02/14/tiktok-ban-timeline-tiktok-returns-to-us-app-stores-for-now/#