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 and threatened. Some even said they would commit suicide if the app were shut down.
The Democrats will fight to leave 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.
Content syndicated from Conservative View from New Hampshire with permission
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I get that some Republicans have come out against banning TikTok, saying a ban would infringe on “freedom of speech” and are worried that it would be expanded to use against U.S. conservative companies. But there is specificity in the bill in that it only applies to known foreign enemies of the U.S. (Russia, China, Iran and North Korea) and it has nothing to do with “freedom of speech” but it is about spyware and election interference. TikTok is controlled by the CCP (the biggest threat to the U.S.) and is spying on every American that uses it. It can and is used to influence our elections and is overt and covert propaganda to push anti-American sentiment and any purposeful divisiveness they desire; like Transgenderism or chemical castration and physical mutilation for minors. And, oh yeah, it is literally killing young Americans with dangerous challenges like “chroming” and the “blackout challenge”, the “Cha Cha slide” challenge and many more. The government has banned it for government phones, but is it OK for your kids?!
Just stop it…..