Due to a bipartisan bill passed in April 2024, TikTok might be banned within the United States on Jan. 19 for posing “a big threat to national security” unless its parent company, Chinese-owned Byte Dance, chooses to sell it, or the Supreme Court intervenes. The Supreme Court heard arguments on Friday from each TikTok and the U.S. federal government. TikTok claimed the so-called ‘get banned or sell’ law infringes on its freedom of speech, while the federal government argued that the app has the power to gather mass amounts of knowledge on American users, which could potentially be weaponized by the Chinese government.
The high court has signaled support for the ban so far, though it’s resulting from render a final decision by Sunday.
In the years since its inception, the app, utilized by 170 million Americans, has been found to have many cracks in its security, allowing for potential cyber attacks on its users.
In January 2020, Check Point Research published findings that exposed weaknesses in TikTok’s security, including the potential for hackers to achieve personal information on users, manipulate content on users’ accounts, and delete or upload videos to accounts without permission.
In May 2023, Imperva, an organization specializing in cyber attack protections for businesses, found a vulnerability inside the TikTok app that made it possible for hackers to view the digital activities of its users.
Though the Check Point Research and Imperva findings have since been resolved by TikTok, debate over potentially recent or previously undetected malware inside the app continues.
U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar on the Supreme Court hearing on Friday explained the risks involved in using the app.
“We know that [China] has a voracious appetite to get its hands on as much details about Americans as possible, and that creates a potent weapon here,” Prelogar said. “Because [China] could command ByteDance [to] comply with any request it gives to acquire that data. TikTok’s immense data set would give [China] a strong tool for harassment, recruitment and espionage.“
As TikTok inches closer to being banned, a case could possibly be made that many individuals, including Christ followers, could also be higher off without it.
A 2021 study on TikTok Use Disorder (TTUD), a problematic use of TikTok, published within the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found a link between TTUD and memory loss, stress, anxiety, and depression. Additional research published in 2022 from Frontiers in Psychology showed that “TikTok has one of the crucial advanced algorithm systems and is essentially the most addictive as in comparison with other social media platforms.“
Moreover, a 2023 study published in Psychiatry Research replicated results from two prior studies, from 1998 and 2004, which found that “excessive web usage was related to increased loneliness.“ Additionally, the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, in a 2021 article, explained that “loneliness pushes people to make use of the web more.“
Given that TikTok was found to be “essentially the most addictive“ social media platform, one can safely assume that it’s likely getting used excessively, especially by young people. Social skills and problem-solving abilities are crucial to adolescent development and overuse of social media apps like TikTok could stunt the natural growth and trajectory of those skills.
The natural conclusion is that the app could lead on a few of its users right into a state of hysteria, loneliness, or depression. It could also function a short lived peace-filler for people affected by loneliness.
The problem with a fleeting peace-filler is that it tosses people about this fashion and that, and it have to be always replaced. It’s the alternative of the regular, everlasting anchor experienced by those that consider in Christ. As He teaches in John 4, verses 13-14, if we consider in Him, we are going to never thirst again, not in the way in which the world thirsts, for we can have the form of deep joy that’s unaffected by circumstance. It’s the deep calm of knowing that, despite our sins or current state of affairs, Jesus died for everybody, giving those that repent and switch to Him everlasting life and security.
Jesus explained this to the Samaritan woman on the well.
“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him won’t ever thirst. But the water that I shall give him will grow to be in him a fountain of water arising into everlasting life.‘“
As Christians, we should look to God alone for peace through prayer, a gradual practice of reading our Bibles, and following His Word. God ought to be what fills our hearts. The peace that comes from Christ is unsurpassed.
As Scripture tells us within the book of John, chapter 14, Jesus offers a peace that cannot be found anywhere on the planet. The peace of our Lord is not present in material possessions or in other people; and it’s definitely not inside a smartphone app or behind a pc screen. In fact, this stuff have the potential to dam and even take the place of a deeper, more personal relationship with our Lord and Savior.
Jesus teaches this in John 14:27 when He tells His folks that peace in Him is much superior to anything that’s offered by the world.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not because the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it’s afraid,“ Jesus said.
It bears mentioning that the positive facets of TikTok are apparent, though variable and subjectively based on personal experience. However, whether it’s making virtual connections, having amusing or two, and even hearing snippets of Scripture, Christians would do well to do not forget that those things should function peace supplements, not centerpieces in our walk with Christ. The only centerpiece of our hearts ought to be Jesus. Anything else is just an inexpensive distraction.
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Vicky has written news articles on topics including human trafficking, Supreme Court rulings, politics, Christian persecution, the economy, social issues, and way more. She likes to learn and earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from DePaul University. When she’s not tackling the present news cycle or interviewing someone for a story, you may probably find her writing poetry, taking pictures, or spending time along with her husband. Vicky loves music, live shows, and all things Paris. You can find more of Vicky’s articles, scholarly papers, and even a few of her poetic reflections at https://vlarias7.journoportfolio.com/
