Alex Pearlman once had aspirations of becoming a standup comedian, but he set those dreams aside nearly ten years ago. He transitioned from performing on stage to working in a customer service role within the confines of an office cubicle.
However, his life took a turn when he began sharing jokes and thoughts on pop culture and politics on TikTok. With an audience of over 2.5 million followers, he left his day job and has now embarked on his first national tour.
Pearlman is just one of many TikTok users in the U.S. who are deeply concerned about a bipartisan bill passed by the House of Representatives. This bill could lead to a nationwide ban on the popular video app unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells its stake. The future of this bill in the Senate remains uncertain.
Creators argue that banning TikTok would negatively impact numerous individuals and businesses that depend on the platform for a substantial part of their income. They also believe that TikTok offers a unique space for dialogue and community building.
Living just outside Philadelphia, Pearlman credits TikTok with dramatically changing his life. It enabled him to pursue his dream, support his family, and spend valuable time at home during the first three months of his newborn son’s life. This was a significant improvement over the paternity leave offered by his customer service job, which was only three weeks, with two of those being paid.
Pearlman, aged 39, expresses immense gratitude for the app. He acknowledges TikTok’s significant influence on American social media over the past four years. He speculates that if TikTok were to disappear, something else would take its place, but it’s uncertain whether it would be for better or worse. The decision, he believes, is not something Congress can predict.
Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has experienced rapid growth, surpassing other platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook in terms of user acquisition speed. The push to divest the app from Chinese ownership stems from concerns among lawmakers, law enforcement, and intelligence officials regarding data security, potential content suppression, and the spread of pro-Beijing propaganda. TikTok, however, denies these allegations.
To date, there has been no evidence provided by the U.S. government to suggest that TikTok has shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities.
The pandemic has significantly boosted digital marketing, with people consuming and creating content at unprecedented levels. Jensen Savannah, a 29-year-old from Charlotte, leveraged TikTok to share her travel experiences around the Carolinas. Now a full-time influencer, she has tripled her income since leaving her job in telecommunications sales.
Savannah views the role of a social media influencer as the modern equivalent of traditional print, radio, and TV advertising. She believes it offers a more cost-effective way to reach audiences.
Some creators see TikTok as a digital equalizer, providing visibility and opportunities for people of color and other marginalized groups. Joshua Dairen, a 30-year-old Black content creator from Auburn, Alabama, shares videos about his state’s ghost stories, urban legends, and history. Growing up, he felt a lack of Black representation in the paranormal field. TikTok has not only given him exposure but also led to freelance writing opportunities and contributions to documentaries. The platform has even supported him in opening his own coffee shop, which is frequented by fans of his work.
Dairen believes that banning TikTok could set a dangerous precedent regarding the government’s power. Others view the app as both a financial and social lifeline.
Chris Bautista, a Los Angeles-based food truck owner, turned to TikTok during the pandemic to connect with the LGBTQ+ community and offer support. Growing up in a conservative Christian community and struggling with his mental health, Bautista wished for a platform like TikTok during his teenage years. He finds the supportive communities within TikTok profoundly important and fears the impact of a potential ban.
Bautista’s engagement with TikTok wasn’t initially for monetary gain, but the income from related projects helped sustain his business during the pandemic and the Hollywood strikes.
Concerns about TikTok’s addictive nature, especially among young users, have been longstanding. Marcus Bridgewater, a former educator and TikTok gardening content creator from Spring, Texas, urges Congress to focus on these issues rather than the app’s ownership. He sees social media as a powerful tool that can either connect or isolate us.
Pearlman has long been apprehensive about political actions against TikTok. He likens the news of the House vote to losing a loved one, emphasizing how social media serves as a vital outlet for many Americans. To him, the potential ban feels like an attempt to silence voices rather than address their concerns.