How many TikTok users were there in the U.S. in 2024, and how many are there today?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
According to the visual above, how many Americans used TikTok in 2023?
There are approximately 334,914,895 Americans, as of the beginning of 2025, about what portion of Americans are on TikTok?
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA) was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives by Republican House member Mike Gallagher and passed by the Republican majority House; then passed by the Democratic majority Senate; then signed into law by Democratic President Joe Biden. The law was written because of worry that the Chinese government could manipulate content on the app, use it to spread disinformation or gain access to sensitive user data through the app’s Chinese owner, ByteDance. In a time of great political polarization and fighting, why do you think different parties and ideologies agreed on this bill?
On April 24, 2024, The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA) was signed into law by President Joseph Biden. What central concept of American government is illustrated by the passage of the law by Congress; the signing of the law by the President; and then a lawsuit against the law in the Supreme Court?
American officials have repeatedly raised national security concerns about TikTok’s ties to China. What Constitutional argument did supporters of TikTok use to try to have the Supreme Court overturn the law banning TikTok?
On Friday, January 17 in TikTok Inc. v. Garland, the Supreme Court rejected TikTok’s First Amendment challenge to the law that effectively bans TikTok beginning Sunday, January 19. All nine Justices unanimously ruled in favor of the U.S. government, writing: "There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement and source of community. But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok's data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary." If you were a member of the often divided court, how would you have voted on this issue?
After the Supreme Court’s ruling, TikTok went dark on Saturday, January 18. But then, the next day, TikTok began restoring its services after President-elect Donald Trump said he would revive the app's access in the U.S. when he returns to power on Monday. Congress has passed a law banning TikTok and the Supreme Court has upheld that law as constitutional. Does the Constitution allow the president to override the Court and Congress to to keep TikTok going?
Riri Bichri burst into tears on Friday morning while discussing news that the Supreme Court had ruled against TikTok, rejecting the company’s arguments against the law that effectively bans it in the United States next week. “It’s really hitting me because I feel it’s like in a world where there’s so much judgment, TikTok provided a place where I can be free, I can be cringe, I can be who I am,” said Ms. Bichri, a content creator based in New York best known for her 2000s nostalgia parody videos. What do you think you and other TikTok users will do to replace the app?
TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, and there is one loophole that could allow TikTok to continue to be used in the U.S. - it could be sold to an American or non-Chinese company. TikTok could be worth $50 billion. Elon Musk has offered to buy TikTok. TikTok users have considered banning together to buy it. ByteDance says it will not sell TikTok. Explain whether you think TikTok will be sold so that it can remain in the United States.
The average age of TikTok users is 24 (see visual below*), the average age of members of the 119th Congress members of the House of Representatives is now 57.5 years, while the Senate's is 64.7 years. How do you think age impacted the government’s decision on the TikTok ban and popular discontent with the ban?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Now that the Supreme Court has ruled, there is essentially nothing you can do to change the outcome of the TikTok ban. But there are things you personally can do to get around the TikTok ban. You won’t be able to watch TikToks about the TikTok ban workaround after Sunday, but you can read this guide to a TikTok workaround!
Get Creative
Write the script of a TikTok about the TikTok ban!
