The app that’s been around for years, TikTok, was temporarily shut down on January 18, 2025 around 10:30 pm. Currently, there are over 1.5 billion people in the world who use this app, as it is one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide. The users of TikTok were in for a rude awakening Saturday night as the app became inaccessible due to a law passed in April of last year.
Any users in the United States who tried opening TikTok past 10:30 pm on Saturday received a message saying, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now”, and giving the option to close the app or learn more. If you hit learn more another message popped up saying, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S., unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
TikTok is also no longer available in Apple or Google Play Stores. U.S. officials have been trying to ban this platform for years and get it cut off from the U.S. market. The White House is leaving enforcement of the law to the incoming administration of Trump so he can try and “save” the app. He said he was considering extending the app an extra 90 days.
Congress wants the app to be banned as they think it is a national security threat because the Chinese government uses it as a way to spy on Americans. Users of the app don’t seem to care about this as they are devastated that the app is now gone.
Junior Amanda Carriere, an avid TikTok user, stated, “Now there will be no more formal TikToks, no more reasons to get ready to even make TikToks and no more sending funny TikToks to my friends. I spent all day on that app and now my life is going to be so boring.”
The controversy over whether TikTok should be banned or not is still ongoing. Junior Sydney Cahn said, “Yes, I am sad about TikTok being banned since I was always on the app but maybe I’ll start focusing on school more and getting better grades because of it.” Fortunately, the app being banned isn’t all bad.
People are posting on their Snapchat stories about how sad they are that TikTok is banned, and it’s clear that most people want it back. Despite its controversy, TikTok creates funny, happy, and memorable moments and entertainment that are missed dearly right now.