Despite fears from some members of the U.S. political class that TikTok is a site for political propaganda, the reality is quite different. A recent Pew Research Center piece from 2022 revealed that the U.S. ranks 31st out of 49 countries in terms of voter turnout for national elections. Americans, particularly young voters aged 18-29, are not very politically engaged. In 2022, only 23% of voters in this age group turned out to vote. This lack of interest in politics among young people raises questions about whether TikTok is actually a political propaganda site.
The popularity of TikTok with young people further undermines the notion that it is a site for political propaganda. With 170 million users, TikTok far surpasses the reach of any other politics-focused website in the U.S. It is clear that young Americans are not flocking to TikTok for political information or propaganda. If TikTok were truly a site controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to influence American thought, it would not have such widespread appeal among young people.
A story about Victoria Beckham’s child using TikTok to gain followers highlights the platform’s popularity among young people for reasons unrelated to politics. Even if TikTok were being used to indoctrinate American youth into the communist fold, the right to free speech must be protected. Banning TikTok based on unfounded fears of political influence would be a violation of this fundamental right. The fact that politicians are calling for TikTok to be banned is evidence that they are not familiar with the platform and its actual purpose.
It is crucial to recognize that while Americans should be able to access political information from any social media site they choose, the reality is that most Americans, especially young people, are not heavily interested in politics. The lack of popular politics-focused websites in the U.S. with over 100 million users further confirms that TikTok is not a site for political propaganda. The immense popularity of TikTok with young people suggests that it is not a tool for the CCP to promote communism.
In conclusion, the fears surrounding TikTok as a political propaganda site are unfounded. The platform’s popularity among young people for reasons unrelated to politics, as well as its vast user base, indicate that it is not a site for political influence. Rather than being controlled by the CCP or used for indoctrination purposes, TikTok is simply a popular social media platform where young people can connect and share content. Calls to ban TikTok based on political fears are misguided and undermine the principles of free speech and expression.
