The beloved app of TikTok went dark for around 12 hours from Jan. 18, 2025, to Jan 19, 2025.
Many of the app’s users were distraught over the sudden loss because most assumed that they would have access to the app until midnight on Jan. 19.
During the days leading up to the TikTok Ban, It was common to see many of the apps’ creators joking about moving to other social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and a Chinese-based app known as ‘Red Note.’ When TikTok finally went black for a few hours, 170 million users merged with these new platforms. Many Grand Ledge High School (GLHS) students had downloaded Red Note and expressed their newly formed confusion about the app.
“It’s pretty confusing [Red Note] because of the different cultures and languages, but there was a lot of TikTok people on there too, so it’s kind of the same,” senior Toby Buckland said.
When it rose in 2020, TikTok brought new ways of quick entertainment to social media. It paved the way for many other apps to integrate its fast entertainment features and short-form content into their own platforms with their own exclusive features.
Many of Grand Ledge’s students use the popular app and were also forced to change where they watched their favorite short-form content.
“I use TikTok every day, and the ban happened quickly I feel. I didn’t use it that morning and it was back at noon. I didn’t like using Instagram reels because of the [app-specific features] and stopped using it when TikTok came back, ” junior Sam Fent said.
When the app reopened and was available to use again in the United States, many users joked about how using the alternative apps was not something they enjoyed doing. The algorithm and app set-ups were not like TikTok’s, which most users did not love.
“I did not like how the app [TikTok] worked and how it was set up,” a sophomore at GLHS Cianna Testorelli said.
Now that the app’s ban has been extended for another 75 days from Jan. 19, 2025, users of the app are glad it is back and are hoping that the company is bought into American ownership so that TikTok’s loved content will remain.
“I’m going to have to go back to Instagram reels if TikTok goes down, and I don’t want to, so I hope it gets bought,” said Fent.
