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Bethany Kilpatrick
BY BETHANY KILPATRICK
Multimedia Journalist
On Jan. 18, 2025, the most downloaded app of 2024, TikTok, became unavailable to all users in America.
According to AP News, TikTok threatened national security, causing the Supreme Court to uphold the law that would allow TikTok to be banned in the United States.
TikTok was removed from app stores operated by Apple and Google, prohibiting access for new users. If the app had previously been downloaded on one’s device, an error message appeared.
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.,” the message on the app said. “Unfortunately that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
While this ban had a national effect, students at Tarleton State University expressed how the security measure affected them personally.
Michael Hildebrandt is a junior at Tarleton, a member of the FarmHouse Fraternity and a facilities employee at the Tarleton Recreational Center.
“I didn’t think too much of the TikTok ban,” Hildebrandt said. “I am not on it that much, or post any videos, so it really didn’t affect me in any way.”
Hildebrandt reflected on the hours TikTok remained completely unavailable.
“The ban only lasted 12 hours,” Hildebrandt said. “I was happy with that. It was good not getting on it for a little bit.”
The app was restored on Jan. 19, 2025, after assurances from United States President Donald J. Trump confirmed there would be no consequences to services that allowed users access.
“Now I am back to watching funny videos when I wake up,” Hildebrandt said.
However, the app remains unavailable for download on app stores, limiting its users to those who already had the app before the ban, and who did not uninstall it during its time down.
“I did not delete it,” Hildebrandt said. “I just left it there. I did not care really one way or another, but some of my friends deleted it, and now they can’t get it back.”
While Hildebrandt enjoys the app for viewing pleasure, other students at Tarleton use TikTok for content creation for their acquired followers.
Sydney Williams is a freshman at Tarleton and competes on the Tarleton Rodeo Team. She is considered a western influencer and provides content on TikTok, as well as other platforms, for her following of over 65,000 users on TikTok specifically.
“I use my accounts to promote agriculture in general,” Williams said. “I try and promote small brands and businesses by modeling and posting content. I also promote rodeos and rodeo events.”
William’s role as a western influencer involves much time management, planning and organization.
“I speak to brands and companies, organize photo shoots or media days and attend to promote their product,” Williams said. “And in the end, I post content of it.”
When Williams realized one of her essential platforms for her role as an influencer may become unavailable, she began preparations to continue her career in another fashion.
“I was prepared to start on Instagram and YouTube and take that more seriously,” Williams said.
During the hours the app was unavailable, Williams found herself appreciating unexpected factors and noticing habits she had been previously unaware of.
“I honestly kind of enjoyed the peace,” Williams said. “I kept myself busy when it was down. I did have a problem clicking on the app even though it would not open. It had become such a habit to click on the app, and I had never realized that before.”
Since the app has become available again, Williams noticed an increase in her social following.
“My following grew by about 3,000 followers from two days before the ban to now,” Williams said. “Which is insane to me. My videos reached new view heights, and I even hit 3 million likes on TikTok.”
Williams expressed her appreciation for all the opportunities that being an influencer has allowed her on platforms such as TikTok.
“I really love how TikTok gives me the opportunity to post content I love while making money off of it,” Williams said. “TikTok has helped me afford more things than I could have ever imagined, and I am glad the app stayed for that reason.”
While the app has its benefits, Williams walked away from the ban with a newfound perspective.
“I do think we need to take into account how much time we spend on apps like that daily though,” Williams said. “As an influencer, they can become a full-time job so quickly. Maybe we can learn to appreciate the app, but also reconnect with the things that surround us.”
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