Tik Tok: Entertainment Source or Malicious Virus?

Ever since it climbed up to the top in 2016, Tik Tok does not fail to fill up our time, and the world of endless scrolling and entertainment runs a rush of dopamine through our system with every new video we see.

Amid political tensions between China and the West, Canada launched an investigation into Tik Tok and the legitimacy of the app’s security. Canada believes that personal details of users are being disclosed in Beijing, which does not comply with the country’s privacy legislation.

This security concern became further in light after multiple states in the US, such as Mississippi and Wisconsin, ordered government staff to remove the app from all work devices.

Ironically, despite the app created in China, citizens in the country often have no access to it. Another app is used in replacement, known as Douyin. Even though it’s similar in design and functionality, both work on completely different networks, and users from each version cannot interact with each other.

Furthermore, research has found that over a third of users in the US may be 14 and under, despite the age limit for Tik Tok to be 13+. This has concerned both parents and government officials.

This is not the first time concerns have worsened the app’s reputation.

More research has shown that social media, particularly Tik Tok, has a significant effect on the reduction of attention spans. This prevents us from focusing on things that engage us less than the videos on Tik Tok, like studying or playing sports.

Concerns vary to more fatal trends that may encourage children to take part in harmful activities for entertainment. Such trends have been followed by lawsuits, as parents attempt to gain justice for their children.

Technology is growing fast. The endless and infinite boundary of our own creation is bigger than anything before, including ourselves. Only time will tell if this is a blessing or a curse.