Would you miss it? American politicians have voted to ban TikTok over security fears. It has not happened yet, but users argue a ban puts jobs and creativity at risk.
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USA moves to ban TikTok for security reasons
Would you miss it? American politicians have voted to ban TikTok over security fears. It has not happened yet, but users argue a ban puts jobs and creativity at risk.
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What's happening?
History was made on Wednesday. In the USA, politicians in the House of RepresentativesThe lower chamber of the United States congress. There are 435 representatives, with a certain number allocated to each state based on the state's population. voted to ban TikTokA Chinese social media company featuring short videos with one billion monthly users. - unless the company that owns it sells it off.
TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. American lawmakers worry that the app is a threat to national security. They fear that the app could be used to spy on Americans, and that it could be used to spread false information. TikTok says this is not true.
The ban has not happened yet. It still needs to be agreed upon by another group of politicians in the SenateThe upper chamber of the Congress that - along with the US House of Representatives (lower chamber) - comprises the legislative branch of the US government. Each of the 50 US states is equally represented by two senators, regardless of its population size. and by American president Joe Biden.
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Even if it never becomes law, this is a big moment. Social media often looks like the most powerful force in the world.
This week, politicians struck back. It is not just about security. Others worry about the spread of fake news and about how social media affects our brains. One study found that TikTok users are more likely to be easily distractedNot focussed. and unable to focus on tasks.
Others say banning TikTok is a bad idea. It has allowed millions of people to be creative and make their own films. For some, it has even become their job. For these people, a ban could be bad news.
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Would you miss it?
Yes! TikTok became so popular so quickly because it offered something new: an easy way to be creative and share ideas. If the app was banned we would lose something big.
No! TikTok has only been around since 2016. We were perfectly fine without it before then. It will quickly be replaced by something else.
Keywords
House of Representatives - The lower chamber of the United States congress. There are 435 representatives, with a certain number allocated to each state based on the state's population.
TikTok - A Chinese social media company featuring short videos with one billion monthly users.
Senate - The upper chamber of the Congress that - along with the US House of Representatives (lower chamber) - comprises the legislative branch of the US government. Each of the 50 US states is equally represented by two senators, regardless of its population size.
Distracted - Not focussed.
USA moves to ban TikTok for security reasons
Protest: TikTok creators, above, say the proposed ban threatens lives and livelihoods. Glossary
House of Representatives - The lower chamber of the United States congress. There are 435 representatives, with a certain number allocated to each state based on the state's population.
TikTok - A Chinese social media company featuring short videos with one billion monthly users.
Senate - The upper chamber of the Congress that - along with the US House of Representatives (lower chamber) - comprises the legislative branch of the US government. Each of the 50 US states is equally represented by two senators, regardless of its population size.
Distracted - Not focussed.