Almost ten years ago, Alex Pearlman abandoned his aspirations of a career in stand-up comedy and redirected his focus from the the stage to an office cubicle where he held a customer service position.

Afterwards, he began sharing unpredictable jokes and thoughts about popular culture and politics on TikTok. As a result, he now has over 2.5 million followers and has left his regular job. He has also announced his first nationwide tour.

Pearlman, along with numerous other TikTok content creators in the United States, expresses anger towards a bill passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. This bill calls for a potential ban of the popular video app nationwide if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, does not sell its ownership. The bill must still go through the Senate and its success is uncertain.

The creators of content argue that a ban on TikTok would have negative impacts on numerous individuals and companies who heavily depend on the platform for a large portion of their earnings. They also claim that TikTok has become an unparalleled platform for communication and building communities.

According to Pearlman, who resides in a suburb of Philadelphia, TikTok has greatly impacted his life, enabling him to pursue his aspirations, support his family, and be present for the initial three months of his baby son’s life. His position in customer service provided him with only three weeks of paid leave for his newborn, which he found insufficient.

Pearlman, who is 39 years old, expressed appreciation for this app as it has been quite surprising. In fact, TikTok has been at the forefront of American social media for the past four years. If TikTok were to disappear tomorrow, another platform would undoubtedly fill its space. It is uncertain whether this new platform would be an improvement or not, but Congress lacks the means to predict.

TikTok, which launched in 2016, has skyrocketed in popularity, growing faster than Instagram, YouTube or Facebook. The push to remove the app from Chinese authority follows concerns from lawmakers, law enforcement and intelligence officials about the insecurity of user data, potential suppression of content unfavorable to the Chinese government and the possibility that the platform could boost pro-Beijing propaganda, all of which TikTok denies.

As of now, there is no proof from the U.S. government that TikTok has shared any data from American users with Chinese authorities.

The decision was made due to the fact that the pandemic caused a significant increase in digital advertising, given that people were confined to their homes and consuming, as well as producing, content at unprecedented levels.

During the pandemic, 29-year-old Jensen Savannah from Charlotte started creating TikToks to document her trips across the Carolinas. As a result, she has become a full-time influencer and has seen a threefold increase in her earnings after leaving her job in telecommunications sales.

She stated that being a “Social media Influencer” can be seen as the modern equivalent of print, radio, and TV advertising. This form of marketing has the potential to be more effective and efficient in terms of cost.

Some content producers view it as a digital tool that promotes equality, offering a channel for individuals from diverse backgrounds and marginalized communities to gain opportunities and visibility.

According to Joshua Dairen, a 30-year-old content creator from Auburn, Alabama, social media has always been a part of his life with accounts on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. However, it was TikTok that first allowed him to easily connect with others who share his identity and interests. As a Black individual, Dairen creates videos about ghost stories, urban legends, and history specific to his state.

As a child, he had a strong interest in studying all things related to the supernatural. However, he noticed a lack of diversity in this area, with little representation of Black individuals. Thanks to his presence on TikTok, he has been able to find opportunities to write freelance articles and participate in documentaries on paranormal events and unsolved mysteries. Furthermore, the app has empowered Dairen to establish his own coffee shop, where he receives daily visits from supporters of his work.

He believes that prohibiting TikTok establishes “a concerning precedent for the extent of authority our government’s highest levels are capable of exercising.”

Some people claim that the application functions as both a financial and social safety net.

During the pandemic, Chris Bautista, a food truck entrepreneur in Los Angeles who serves television and movie sets, turned to TikTok as a means of reaching out to and standing in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, particularly those who may be facing struggles.

Bautista, 37, grew up in a conservative Christian community outside LA and didn’t come out until his late 20s. As a young person, he struggled with his mental health and considered suicide. He wanted to create a platform he could have used as a teenager, one showing that someone like him could go to that dark place and come out the other side a “well-adjusted, confident person.”

According to Bautista, the corners of TikTok that I come across are incredibly significant and deep. It would be devastating if the app was prohibited.

Bautista didn’t start posting with the intention of monetizing the experience, but money from projects tied to the app came at the right time: If it wasn’t for the extra income he earned through TikTok during the pandemic and then the Hollywood strikes last year, his business would have shut down.

From the beginning, there have been concerns about the app’s potential for addiction, particularly among youthful users whose minds are still maturing. Marcus Bridgewater, a former private school educator and current business owner who shares gardening videos on TikTok, believes that Congress should prioritize addressing these concerns rather than the app’s Chinese ownership.

According to Bridgewater, who resides in Spring, Texas, social media is a potent instrument that has the capability of allowing us to go beyond our limitations. However, this same capability can also disconnect us from our loved ones.

Pearlman expressed his longstanding concern that politicians would target TikTok. He described the shock of learning about the House vote as similar to receiving news of a loved one’s passing.

“I find it concerning that for many Americans, platforms like TikTok and social media serve as a way to let off steam and vent their frustrations. It seems like instead of addressing those grievances, the focus is on banning these outlets.”

Source: wral.com