TikTok’s status in the United States has remained uncertain for months. On Jan. 19, the app shut down for several hours and was removed from the app store.
However, President Trump issued an executive order delaying the app’s prospective ban for 75 days. If a U.S. company purchases the app, it will meet federal codes, and the ban will not take effect.
TikTok is massively popular among members of Gen Z and has been used as a university marketing tool.
The rocket conducted a survey in an attempt to figure out how an end to the platform could affect SRU.
Of the 42 respondents, 59.5% reported they use TikTok daily, while 23.8% claimed they do not use the app at all.
Additionally, 71.4% of those surveyed do not believe a permanent ban will occur. Though if it did, 57.1% said they would move on to Instagram reels, and 26.2% selected, “I wouldn’t try to replace it.” Others claimed they might use YouTube Shorts or RedNote, another Chinese app.
Students also reported a variety of emotions regarding the platform’s potential end.
“I’d feel great on one hand because I fear that I am cripplingly addicted to the instant dopamine; I know it has destroyed my attention span,” an SRU senior said. “On the other hand, I feel that TikTok is being targeted due to some unfounded fear-mongering that China is stealing our data…TikTok is terrible but not for the reasons they think.
Many agreed with this sentiment, claiming less screen time would be good for society.
“I think that our generation uses social media too much and is a reason for a lot of problems we’re seeing in society,” one junior said.
Others feel the ban is an infringement on free speech.
“If we were to ban TikTok, it could violate our First Amendment right to freedom of speech/expression,” junior Bella Raines said.
Junior Lamont Williams echoed this, stating, “I feel like it takes the rights and the voices of everyone that uses the app to educate not only others but also themselves. Some people use TikTok for their livelihood, when it comes to paying bills, being able to eat, exploring the world…”
Other adjectives students used to describe their feelings include: sad, annoyed, angry, disconnected, happy, disappointed and indifferent.
“I’d rather have no TikTok than Trump-owned TikTok,” a sophomore said.
Most respondents agreed a ban would affect students in some way, even if it is not drastic.
“SRU students are heavily involved in TikTok–all clubs, Greek life, radio, art majors and small businesses…rely on TikTok to promote what they are doing. It’s also how campus stays involved other than Instagram,” senior Julia Rodgers said.
Freshman Elena Siz, who does not like the app, feels a ban would result in “madness.”
“Mindless scrolling is an epidemic. It’s dangerous. I think that the fear of getting social media taken away would make people more volatile and anxious,” they said.
Overall, people agreed the situation as a whole carries strong political undertones.
“Scroll through TikTok and soon enough you will see right-wing content pushed in your face, all tailored to our generation. Why would Trump want to ban something that’s generating him support,” an anonymous student reported.
“I think it’s convenient that all the politicians that voted for the ban are heavily invested in Meta and TikTok’s domestic competition,” another senior said.
Several students said the ban’s biggest effect would be a loss of information and news.
“TikTok is where a lot of people get their news and form communities,” another junior said. “Suddenly detaching people from that may have negative effects but I think a long term move away from short-form content will be a net positive.”
Leah Hawthorne, social media assistant for enrollment management at SRU, also provided input.
Hawthorne and two other employees are in charge of researching trending topics and filming, editing and posting content on SRU’s Tiktok.
“We have discussed a plan for the TikTok ban,” she said. “Our plan consists of transitioning the content that we regularly post on TikTok to other platforms such as Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts.”
Hawthorne claims the ban would affect university social media, as SRU’s TikTok has amassed over 6,800 followers.
“We would also struggle to engage with [prospective] students, such as transfer or first-year individuals who might’ve never heard of Slippery Rock University,” she said. “The ban would impact SRU students by removing a space where they can see the university’s positive achievements and have a platform where they feel heard, understood and supported.”
