Free for all Saturday – whoop whoop!

It’s been on my mind lately to write about the impending TikTok ban. Sick and tired of the discussion? I get it and understand if you want to skip the post. See you for the next one…

Hanging in? Then let my 50+ self tell you why I’d be sad to see TikTok go.

I started being what I’d consider a TikTok Lite viewer back during the pandemic lockdown. While the country closed up shop this app gave me a way to connect with people around the world, to see what others were talking about and doing with their sudden change in existence. There were times when those lighthearted cat and dog videos brought much needed comic relief – if I’m honest they still bring those smiles today and I’m grateful for the uplifting content.

Over the years I became a daily user and the algorithm allowed me to develop a collection of regulars in my areas of interest.

I found political commentators who broke down proposed legislation and lawyers who taught me about everything from constitutional law to current day rights and protections. I started watching congressional committee clips, gaining a better understanding of how the subgroups debated issues as a whole. I learned more about our government and how it works than any class ever taught me. The Daily Show provided a sometimes lighthearted but still dead on discussion of the day’s issues.

I followed people working in social justice and listened to what they felt passionate about. I examined my own beliefs and biases, learning more about how my attitude toward people different from me affected my ability to see the world objectively.

TikTok is where I found a broader offering of Black educators sharing their knowledge on bias and racism and began unpacking my own belief system in earnest. Through that network I heard from people with wide fields of expertise and learned more about the day to day experiences of Black people in America. I followed several Black women to their Patreon accounts to dive deeper into my anti racism work there.

I also ended up on hairdresser and wedding planner TikTok. Those skits entertained and educated in equal parts. I also follow a good number of teachers and watched their struggles of educating through a pandemic, navigating their way back into the classroom, and dealing with the never ending gun violence in our schools.

I saw people who built businesses, earning a cushion of income for themselves and their families. People who dedicated time to giving back in their own community or casting a wider net. There are people doing good in the world, some of whom won’t be able to continue their efforts without their viewer support or income stream.

I could go on and on. Some people look at losing TikTok as one more frivolous social media app, a waste of time or a distraction – and don’t get me wrong, if that’s the role it filled for you then I hope it served its purpose. But for me it’s been a space that fostered incredible learning and growth. For that I’m forever grateful and it’s a resource I’ll sorely miss.

Is losing a social media app the end of the world for my middle aged self? No, I’ll just have to get more intentional about searching out these resources for myself. But I’d be lying if I said it isn’t a loss and I’ll encourage everyone to be open minded about people talking about the ban.


Linda hosts Stream of Consciousness Saturday.