TikTok Ban: Where It Stands & What NSCD Says

By Samuel Rappoport

It seems like TikTok has been around forever. With unlimited possibilities and exciting content TikTok appears to have it all. And then… it was shut down? Beginning in 2017, TikTok took off in popularity. However, in November 2019, U.S. authorities began questioning its data practices. President Trump signed an executive order in 2020 to ban TikTok, but it was rescinded by President Biden. In 2023, Biden revived the threat, demanding ByteDance sell TikTok After Trump’s 2024 re-election, he temporarily shut down the app, then gave ByteDance two 75-day extensions to sell The current deadline is June 19, 2025

So What Do NSCD Students Have to Say?

While opinions vary, the majority of students agree: TikTok should not be banned. Junior Tarik Awada, is unsure about the accusations, calling claims regarding China’s data “complete lies.” Ellie Rose Horowitz notes that over 70% of the files related to the case are classified, which speaks to a lack of public transparency.

To many, they see the ban as an infringement on freedom. Sophomore Nikash Bawa calls it a “violation of free speech” and “exactly how authoritarian regimes start.” Juniors Kate Connolly and Elle Huss feel similarly, calling it a “[violation] of constitutional rights.”

Others mention TikTok is not the only company collecting user data. Callie Zhao details “at this point…who isn’t stealing my data?”. Dixie Oelrich goes on, “TikTok isn't the worst company to be taking our data.”

For many students, the impact is personal. Nolan Howard refers to TikTok as a great way of staying connected. Dixie Olerich appreciates its educational content along with its entertainment.

Some students confess that TikTok is dangerous for their mental health. They concur that a ban could be beneficial for their own health.

In addition to individual use, TikTok plays a large role in small business advertising. Henry Potthoff outlines how it helped him gain costumers for his car photography business.

But not everyone is opposed to the ban. Liam Gallagher states that he could “live without TikTok,” while Simon Lugilio states the ban is “needed to save our youth from Chinese communist propaganda.”

As the June 19 cutoff approaches, TikTok’s fate still hangs in the balance. But in North Shore the opinion is clear: TikTok is more than just an app, it is an opportunity to connect and speak for a generation.