Should TikTok Be Banned? Or Not?

TikTok, the popular app beloved by tweens and teens, has found itself in the crosshairs lately. President Joe Biden recently signed legislation that would ban the app from phones and computers issued by federal agencies. Dozens of states have implemented similar prohibitions on devices used by their employees, and universities across the country have banned the app on university-issued phones and from campus Wi-Fi networks.

The reasons for these bans vary from concerns about algorithms that amplify misinformation to the app’s negative impact on societal discourse. The most cited concern, however, involves national security, as the app is run by ByteDance, a Chinese-owned company. This has led to widespread fears about national security risks and the protection of personal privacy. In this Cyberwise Chat when we talk about whether TikTok is safe for your child to use, or not.