Jean MartinSeveral creators and small enterprises worldwide could see their earnings plummet without the famous social media platform.
Introduction: The US Senate Passes Legislation to Ban TikTok
On April 24, the US Senate passed legislation aimed at banning TikTok, the popular social media app. Within hours, President Biden signed the bill into law, mandating that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, sell the app to non-Chinese owners or face a blanket ban in the US.
This decision has sparked a complicated and uphill legal battle, with significant implications for TikTok’s devoted user base, especially creators and small businesses that rely on the platform for income.
Worries for Creators and Small Businesses
More than 150 million users in the US alone could see their favorite leisure activity disappear with the TikTok ban. However, the individuals most impacted are the creators and small businesses that monetize their presence on the platform.
According to TikTok data from March 2024, over seven million small US businesses utilize the platform, generating $15 billion in revenue for these enterprises in 2023. Additionally, TikTok has been a major contributor to the GDP of several countries, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
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Shira’s Story: A Full-Time Content Creator
Shira, a 27-year-old content creator with over 500,000 followers on TikTok, relies on the platform as her primary source of income.
Initially launching her account in 2021 after moving to the US from Australia, Shira’s following quickly grew as she shared reaction videos and personal experiences.
Despite also having accounts on Snapchat and YouTube, TikTok has consistently brought in the most money for Shira through partnerships.
The ban on TikTok is devastating for Shira and many like her, as it threatens their livelihoods and potentially hundreds of thousands of jobs associated with the platform.
Concerns for the Future
The ban on TikTok could have far-reaching consequences, leaving creators, small businesses, and global companies uncertain about their future income streams.
While there may be alternatives, finding a suitable substitute poses challenges, particularly given TikTok’s massive and engaged user base.
Conclusion: Uncertain Times Ahead
As the ban on TikTok looms, concerns continue to mount for creators, small businesses, and the broader community reliant on the platform.
The impact of the ban extends beyond individual income to potential job losses and economic repercussions, underscoring the need for careful consideration and mitigation measures to address the challenges ahead.
