A potential TikTok ban in the US could reshape how Gen Z consumes news, disrupt innovative journalism, and silence underrepresented voices in the digital community.

The countdown to 19 January has begun, and with it, TikTok faces its most significant existential threat yet. The Biden administration has set the deadline for the app to comply with demands to address concerns about data security and its ties to China. Specifically, the government is asking TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and implement stricter measures to safeguard US user data from potential foreign surveillance. If TikTok does not meet these demands, the platform could face an outright ban, a move that would reverberate across digital media landscapes and reshape how Gen Z consumes information.

At the heart of this debate lies what experts have termed "platform ambivalence," coined by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Many people rely on platforms like TikTok for news about politics, appreciating the accessibility and engagement they bring to complex topics. Yet, these users also remain skeptical, harboring concerns about misinformation, bias, privacy, freedom of expression, and the overarching power of tech giants. This duality of reliance and distrust is a defining characteristic of modern digital media use and further complicates the decision of whether platforms like TikTok should be trusted or heavily regulated.

For millions of Gen Z users, TikTok has become a gateway to news. The app's algorithm serves hyper-personalised content and has reshaped how young people consume information. Unlike traditional platforms, TikTok delivers bite-sized videos layered with commentary, visuals, and emotion, making complex issues – from the war in Ukraine to climate change – digestible and engaging. According to the Pew Research Center, 39 per cent of US adults under 30 use TikTok as a news source. Without it, younger audiences could be forced to migrate to platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, which lack TikTok’s unique algorithmic magic.

This would not be the first time a government pulled the plug on TikTok. In 2020, India banned the app outright, citing national security concerns. The aftermath was chaotic. Homegrown alternatives like Josh, Moj, and Chingari rushed to fill the void, carving out their niches in a fragmented digital landscape. However, these platforms struggled to replicate TikTok’s global reach and cultural exchange. Content became more insular, with creators catering primarily to domestic audiences.

But TikTok's role in India then was fundamentally different from what it represents in the US today. In 2020, the app was predominantly a space for entertainment. Now, TikTok is a critical........

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