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TikTok ban looms: What U.S. users need to know
As the Supreme Court considers the potential ban of TikTok in the U.S., millions of users are scrambling to prepare. From using VPNs to switching to apps like Red Note, creators are finding ways to adapt. FOX 5 NY's Jennifer Williams has the story.
TikTok has become a cultural staple with over 170 million U.S. users, but its future hangs in the balance.
The Supreme Court is weighing a law that could force the platform’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban. If the ban takes effect, TikTok users will need to find new platforms to connect with their favorite creators and trends.
Is TikTok actually getting banned?
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments on a law that would ban TikTok in the U.S. What does that actually mean?
Here’s a look at some of the alternatives gaining traction and how they stack up:
What are the top alternatives to TikTok?
What's next:
With TikTok’s fate uncertain, several platforms are poised to attract its displaced user base:
- Xiaohongshu (RedNote): Known as the "Little Red Book," this Chinese app combines e-commerce and short-form videos. It recently became the top free app on Apple’s U.S. app store.
- Lemon8: A ByteDance-owned lifestyle app blending TikTok’s video features with Instagram’s photo-driven interface. However, its future is also uncertain due to the divest-or-ban law.
- Instagram Reels: Meta’s short-video feature already has significant overlap with TikTok’s user base, boasting over 2 billion monthly active users.
- YouTube Shorts: Pew Research Center reports YouTube as the most widely-used platform, offering TikTok-like scrolling for bite-sized videos.
- Snapchat: With features like disappearing stories and user-curated video highlights, Snapchat remains a favorite among younger audiences.
- Twitch: For users who enjoy livestreamed videos, Twitch is a strong alternative with 105 million monthly visitors.
- Clapper: A U.S.-based TikTok clone designed for Gen X and millennial users.
What happens if TikTok is banned?
Why you should care:
If TikTok is banned, app stores like Apple and Google will no longer offer it for download in the U.S. Existing users can continue using the app, but without updates, its functionality will degrade over time.
Creators are already diversifying their presence across platforms like Instagram and YouTube, while apps like RedNote and Clapper have seen a surge in downloads.
TikTok has become a hub for pop culture, trends, and content creation. A ban could significantly reshape the social media landscape, prompting users to adapt to new platforms while creators seek ways to maintain their audiences.