TikTok Is A Beacon Of Democracy In The Social Media Hellscape

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I am a Senior Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute with a focus on innovation and dynamism. I'm author of the book Regulation and Economic Growth: Applying Economic Theory to Public Policy. My writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post.

Recent developments in the U.S. House of Representatives have put TikTok, the immensely popular Chinese-owned social media app, in the crosshairs of lawmakers. The House has tied a revised proposal to ban or force the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to a massive $95 billionfor Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. If passed, the Senate could vote on the measure as early as next week, potentially fast-tracking the ban into law.

In contrast, consider the recent changes at Twitter under Elon Musk’s leadership. The platform’s “” system systematically favors paying users, creating a two-tiered system that disadvantages those who can’t or won’t pay for verification. Moreover, X suffers from an incumbent advantage, where users with established followings benefit from a self-reinforcing cycle of visibility and growth, making it harder for new voices to break through.

TikTok, on the other hand, has leveled the playing field through its superior use of hashtags and its algorithm’s ability to surface content based onrather than metrics indirectly tied to follower count. It’s not uncommon for amateur creators with modest followings to have their videos seen by hundreds or even thousands of strangers, sparking lively discussions in the comments section.

TikTok’s triumph in fostering a more open environment for creators and users alike should be celebrated and emulated, not punished through the misguided legislation making its way through Congress. Compelling ByteDance to shut down or sell the app would not only deprive millions of Americans of a vibrant platform for self-expression, it also sets a dangerous precedent for government overreach in the digital realm.the House of Representatives last month and has been stalled in the Senate.

Instead of penalizing the app for its success in creating an immensely popular online platform, policymakers should look to TikTok as a model for promoting a more inclusive and intellectually diverse online ecosystem. Banning or forcing the sale of TikTok would be a step in the wrong direction for both free speech and the future of social media.

 

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