January 5th 2025.
Will TikTok be banned this month? It's a question that has been on the minds of creators and small business owners, leaving them in a state of anxious uncertainty. The fate of the popular app will be decided by the Supreme Court, who will hear arguments on January 10th regarding a law that requires TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban in the United States.
At the center of the case is the question of whether this law violates the First Amendment, with TikTok and its supporters arguing that it does. On the other hand, the U.S. government sees the platform as a national security risk and claims that the law does not violate the First Amendment. This has left creators and small business owners in a state of limbo, unsure of what the future holds for their livelihoods.
For creators, the possibility of a TikTok ban is not a new fear. President-elect Donald Trump first attempted to ban the platform through an executive order during his first term. However, despite recent statements indicating a change of heart from Trump, the threat of a ban has never been as immediate as it is now, with the Supreme Court being the final decision-maker.
If the government succeeds in banning TikTok, the company has stated that they would shut down their U.S. platform by January 19th, leaving creators scrambling to figure out their next steps. For many, like 22-year-old filmmaker Gillian Johnson, TikTok has been a significant source of income, allowing them to fund their creative projects and pursue their passions. The idea of losing this platform is a hard pill to swallow.
Many creators have taken to TikTok to express their fears and frustrations, grappling with the possibility that their hard work and dedication could soon disappear. Online communities risk being disrupted, and the economic fallout could be particularly devastating for those who have built their careers and incomes around their content.
Some creators have even considered quitting, uncertain of what the future holds. However, others, like Nicla Bartoli, the vice president of sales at The Influencer Marketing Factory, believe that the threat of a TikTok ban is not as imminent as it seems, as it has been a recurring issue in recent years. This uncertainty has led some creators to explore alternative ways to promote themselves and their businesses, such as investing more time in other social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
For those who primarily depend on TikTok, the potential ban has forced them to think about diversifying their social media presence. This is because the opportunity to monetize content exists across a range of platforms, and many creators have already taken steps to spread their presence. However, many have also credited TikTok and its algorithm for giving them exposure and opportunities that they could not find on other platforms, particularly for creators of color and those from marginalized groups.
Despite the fear and uncertainty surrounding the fate of TikTok, industry analysts note that creators are not making any significant changes until something actually happens. For creators like Brandon Hurst, TikTok has been a game-changer, helping him grow his plant business and employ five people. For others, like Edward East, the founder and group CEO of Billion Dollar Boy, it's important for creators to download all of their TikTok content into a personal portfolio, which can serve as a resume for potential brand partnerships.
As the deadline of January 19th approaches, the Supreme Court's decision will determine the future of TikTok in the United States. Until then, creators are advised to continue posting regularly on the platform and explore alternative opportunities. The potential ban could have far-reaching consequences, not just for creators but also for the overall economy, as the so-called creator economy is estimated to be worth $480 billion by 2027. Only time will tell what the fate of TikTok will be, but for now, creators and small business owners must wait and see what the Supreme Court decides.
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