TikTok’s Time Is Ticking Away

CREATOR NEWSLETTER


We’re less than one week away from the probable end of TikTok. By government decree, on January 19, 2025, TikTok will be shut down in the United States. Of course, there is still a brief glimmer of hope the Supreme Court will intervene. President Trump has asked them to, after all. But that doesn’t mean people aren’t getting ready.

TikTok has over 1 billion active users worldwide. It is the de facto social media platform of the youth. For many young people who grew up during lockdown, TikTok is more than social media; it was the town square. A place to gossip, talk about the news, and socialize when they couldn’t step out the front door. TikTok taught them how to cook, do their makeup, and explore their political views.

But beyond that, TikTok has been an economic boon for thousands of creators. Whether they make money selling things in the TikTok Shop or based on the views of their videos, TikTok puts real money in many people’s pockets. TikTok going away is a major event. The government is taking away a vital digital third place and shutting down people’s jobs, all in one fell swoop.

TikTok users are passionately looking for solutions. This week, they sent RedNote, a Chinese version of Instagram, to the top of the App Store. Ironically, the government’s paranoia about TikTok’s ties to China has pushed an actual Chinese social media app up the charts. We’ll have a full story on that tomorrow and in Thursday’s newsletter.

In the meantime, check our list of the best TikTok alternatives in this afternoon’s missive. You don’t want to be caught on Sunday, January 19, without a social video platform to fall back on, do you?

A miracle may happen. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts has introduced a bill to extend the deadline for the ban by an additional 270 days. If his bill passes, We may sing the “So Long TikTok Blues” again in October.

We won’t know until it happens. If life has taught me anything, it is to prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised if the best comes. For you, our dear readers, we wish you nothing but pleasant surprises. Just remember to be prepared if the worst makes itself known.


PLATFORMS

Supreme Court Expected To Uphold TikTok Ban

Hand holding phone with tiktok logo and a banned symbol over it. The hand is over the supreme court building

Try Out The New TikTok Ad Assistant

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IN THE BIZ


PERSONALITIES

MrBeast’s Reddit Problem

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JOB BOARD


SO, WHAT NEXT?

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