By Ron Rocky Coloma
For Lysez Santos, the idea seemed absurd—a social media platform used by millions, wiped out with the stroke of a pen. When she saw the news that TikTok had gone dark in the U.S., she kept refreshing her app, waiting for it to load. Nothing.
“I sort of didn’t want to accept it because of its sheer ridiculousness,” the 18-year-old said. “The main points for the government’s desire to ban it were accusatory and discriminatory in my opinion.”
Santos, a student who splits her time between Northern California and her home in Dededo, had been on TikTok since 2020. Like millions of others, she turned to the app in the early months of the pandemic as a way to stay connected.
On Jan. 18, TikTok users across the U.S. saw their screens go blank. Twelve hours later, the app was restored when President Trump intervened. He promised to save the platform and keep it accessible to 170 American users, who rely on the platform for news, entertainment and community.
The abrupt shutdown and rapid restoration highlighted the political whiplash that has defined TikTok’s presence in the U.S.
TikTok has been at the center of political controversy in the U.S. for years. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns about national security, arguing that ByteDance’s ownership gives the Chinese government potential access to American user data.
In March 2024, the House of Representatives passed a bill requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or be banned from U.S. app stores. The Senate later approved the measure as part of a foreign aid package, and former President Joe Biden signed it into law in April 2024.
The company was given nine months to comply, with the option of a 90-day extension if a sale was in progress. That deadline expired on Jan. 19, leading to the shutdown. The app was removed from Apple and Google Play stores, along with Lemon8 and CapCut, which are also owned by ByteDance.
Trump has delayed the ban until April 4, giving ByteDance an additional 75 days to divest or risk an outright ban.
With the future of TikTok still uncertain, many users had begun searching for alternatives. Platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and RedNote saw a surge in downloads, but not everyone was convinced they could fill the void.
For users like Aileen Chang, the rollercoaster of events was disorienting. “I tried RedNote because everyone said it was the next platform people would move onto,” said the 23-year-old Honolulu resident. “I went on it for ten minutes and didn’t like the layout, so I deleted the app.”
Several other users have expressed frustration with other platforms’ algorithms, saying they lack TikTok’s ability to deliver highly personalized content. “Nothing compares to TikTok’s algorithm,” Chang said. “It’s like magic. Why is every video so good? On other apps, you gotta weed through the trash.”
For Liam Rocco Padua, a Guam artist and pre-med student, TikTok was more than just a place for entertainment; it was a valuable tool for learning and networking. “Although much of what I used to create revolved around art, it has been an incredible way to hear the stories of other pre-med students and even individuals further into their careers,” the 18-year-old said.
Padua found that TikTok’s global reach allowed him to connect with students from other universities and doctors of different specialties, providing insight into career paths that wouldn’t have been as accessible otherwise. “The platform has allowed me to live the lives of medical students, doctors, artists and students like myself vicariously through the content they create,” he said. “The insight from a simple ‘day in the life as a…’ can jumpstart a chain reaction of further researching or exploring career opportunities.”
Santos explored Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform similar to TikTok, and found it to be a close match. “The platform was pretty similar in terms of interface and community engagement,” she said. “Upon opening the app, I was not asked to immediately sign in and was able to use it as a guest.”
The biggest barrier? Language.
“The only issue I faced was not being able to speak Chinese,” Santos said. “But the layout was easy to navigate.”
For influencers and small business owners who rely on TikTok for income, the uncertainty surrounding its status can be nerve-wracking.
“The removal of TikTok would undoubtedly impact the lives of many creators,” Padua said. “It is not only a platform for creativity, but one that allows creativity to generate income.”
TikTok’s unique algorithm made it easier for small businesses to go viral and reach new customers. Unlike Instagram or YouTube, where success often depends on followers, TikTok’s “For You” page allowed anyone to gain traction.
“The potential to grow on TikTok is unparalleled,” Chang said. “Not many customers care enough to spend time looking up a small business on other platforms and re-engaging with them.”
For some, the debate isn’t just about business—it’s about community.
“Unlike Instagram where it’s mostly friends, or YouTube where you only engage with ultra-famous influencers, TikTok is the middle ground where everyone comments and converses as if they know each other,” Chang said.
Lawmakers pushing for the ban argue that TikTok poses risks to U.S. national security. They fear ByteDance’s possible data-sharing with the Chinese government.
“I think it’s good that the government cares about data privacy and national security,” Chang said. “But if they really cared, they should look in the mirror first.”
Some critics have pointed out that other social media companies, including Meta and Google, also collect vast amounts of user data. Unlike TikTok, however, these companies are based in the U.S.
Santos sees the ban as part of a broader political trend. “This will set a precedent for future app policies,” she said. “It will be easier for these larger American companies to strictly regulate their platforms and even link with the interests of the government.”
For now, users are left in limbo—uncertain if their favorite app will survive or if they’ll have to move on for good. Whether TikTok finds a new owner or fades into digital history remains to be seen.
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