"When 73-year-old Barbara “Babs” Costello started sharing her recipes on TikTok in 2020, she never imagined it would lead to a thriving online business and a cookbook she’d always dreamed of writing. “I was amazed at the support I got from that one little video. It was a very uncertain time, and I, an older lady, was bringing some solace and peace to people who were watching. I never in a million years imagined I’d get to 2 million followers on TikTok,” Costello previously shared with Business Insider—her TikTok, @brunchwithbabs, is now at over 4 million followers.
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Why Users Prefer TikTok to Other Social Media Platforms
Stories like Barbara’s illuminate why people prefer TikTok to other social media platforms. TikTok’s algorithm focuses on interests, engagement, and discovery, bridging cultural and socioeconomic divides. “TikTok showed me different worlds and perspectives,” shares Jennifer Chen, a mother of two from suburban Chicago. “I learned about sustainable farming from an Indigenous creator in New Zealand, got financial literacy tips from a former Wall Street executive, and learned how to meal prep properly through a mother in Lebanon.”
TikTok Helps Education and Small Business
Beyond being “Very Demure, Very Mindful,” TikTok has emerged as a powerful educational platform and business incubator. The app’s signature short-form video format has democratized learning, making everything from coding tutorials to mental health resources accessible to millions. Small business owners, particularly women, have found unprecedented opportunities to reach customers without massive marketing budgets. TikTok is full of stories of people who used the platform to show off their skills, hobbies, and interests and built small businesses out of the incredible engagement that the algorithm delivers.
TikTok Helps Build Community
Beyond business, the platform has also helped parents feel less isolated, has amplified the voices of people fighting for justice, and has brought awareness to social and global issues (the Palestinian-Israel conflict was heavily documented on TikTok by citizens on both sides).
It has created a space for stories and voices to be boosted beyond your traditional network and followers, which makes it not just another social media app. “The TikTok ban underscores the need for digital responsibility, but as a parent educator and psychologist, watching the parenting movement grow and change in such a healthy, beautiful way due to the reach of parenting creators has been remarkable,” shares Dr. Colleen Napleton, a clinical psychologist out of suburban Chicago. “Parents have more information and are less isolated as they lean on the TikTok community and creators like me for the latest research and best practices.”
Where the TikTok Ban Stands Today
Today, the Supreme Court upheld the federal law banning TikTok unless it’s sold by its China-based parent company, citing national security concerns. Meanwhile, TikTokers are swarming to alternative platforms like Red Note, another Chinese-owned app. Red Note is currently the top free application in Apple’s App Store.
Many express concern that while lawmakers claim to be protecting us, they fail to prioritize pressing issues like gun violence, climate disasters, and economic inequality. “The proposed ban feels less about security and more about control, especially when you consider how TikTok has amplified marginalized voices and fostered grassroots movements,” shares Elaine Coleman, a mom of tween girls in Manhattan.
Final Thoughts on the Potential TikTok Ban
As the debate over TikTok’s future continues, it’s crucial to recognize what’s truly at stake. This isn’t just about losing an app for dance trends and cooking videos. It’s about preserving a unique digital space that has revolutionized how we learn, connect, and build businesses.
The platform’s potential ban raises important questions about digital freedom, government oversight, and the future of social media. But one thing is sure: Our desire for interest-driven content won’t disappear with TikTok. As we navigate this digital crossroads, we must carefully consider what we stand to lose and fight to preserve the spaces that bring us together rather than drive us apart.
Gabriela Garcia, Contributing Writer
Gabriela is a former Senior Commerce Editor at Well+Good, where she oversaw content strategy across all platforms. Previously, she was the Senior Beauty Editor at Editorialist, leading the vertical through expansive growth. Her work can be seen in Bustle, Fashionista, Glamour, InStyle, Remezcla, The Pioneer Woman, and more. Gabriela is the founder of ModernBrownGirl.com and is most passionate about product discovery, reporting on trends, and conducting interviews with industry leaders.