By Ray Cardello for March 14, 2024, Season 25 / Post 20

In full disclosure, I am not a TikTok user. I refused to install it on my devices for fear of giving the Chinese access to my data. TikTok is owned by ByteDance. The execs at TikTok have testified before Congress numerous times and claimed that an American company owns them. Still, everyone knows that is a facade, and ByteDance, and by extension, the CCP, is the owner. TikTok in China is completely controlled by the Chinese government and is used as a teaching tool. In America, the CCP is using TikTok as a tool to control the young people of America. Like a drug, TikTok’s algorithm gets people addicted to its offerings very quickly.

When Congress announced last week that they would force ByteDance to divest and sell off the app to an American group, the users were urged to call their Reps and Senators and tell them to leave TikTok alone. With over 150 Million users, the switchboards lit up, and the calls poured in. Many of these callers probably had no idea who their reps were, but they called, threatened, and told that the person called. Some even said they would commit suicide if the app were shut down.

The Democrats will fight to keep TikTok alone. In the middle of this controversy, with all federal employees forbidden from having TikTok on government devices, the President starts using the app to reach young supporters. It was a very hypocritical act but a successful one. With Biden bleeding support in every other sector, he has to hold onto the young voters. So far, he is successful, but that support will be gone if TikTok is, too. All of a sudden, these kids are political activists.

There is too much money involved in Social Media, especially Instagram, Tumblr, and, of course, TikTok. Develop a following, regardless of talent, and influencers can make more money making 30-second videos than they ever dreamed possible.

Charli Grace D’Amelio is an American social media personality. She was a competitive dancer for over a decade before starting her social media career in 2019 when she began posting dance videos on the video-sharing platform TikTok. You probably never heard of her, but if you have children, they have. She has been on TikTok since 2021 and has 151 Million followers. D’Amelio “earned” $17.5 Million last year. Is there any wonder why there is no value in a dollar or no employees working at your favorite shop?

Should TikTok be dismantled? Absolutely, or at least assured, the Chinese have no stake in the app or business. The dangers of Social Media still need to be addressed, but the tentacles are in too deep. There has to be a concerted effort to break the dependence on cellphones for elementary age children. You will not get them away from teenagers, but you have to break the funnel of new users.

Hearings start Wednesday in Congress on the future of TikTok. It will be a great study of money, power, and the impact of the youth on Congress. Washington loves lobbyists. Let’s see how they enjoy millions of kids strung out on TikTok.