I Banned TikTok Before it Could Ban Me
Why I Deleted the Brainrot App
I shared on Instagram that I banned TikTok before it could ban me and so many asked for me to expand on why. At this time, we don’t know if it will go through or what the results will be, but I think my thoughts on social media expand beyond just TikTok and can be applied to many areas of life.
First, I want to acknowledge everyone who has built a following on the platform and relies on it for their livelihood or even just enjoys it as a hobby. In 2017, our YouTube channel with over a million subscribers was suddenly demonetized due to a glitch during a time we called the “adpocalypse”. We lost out on months of income with no promises from YouTube that it would be monetized again. From someone who has experienced to some extent what you are currently experiencing… I am so sorry that this impending ban has caused stress, loss of sleep, and income. If it isn’t banned we can all take a sigh of relief, but if it is know I am thinking of you and remaining hopeful for your next adventure!
Fair warning, as I expand on my reasons for deleting TikTok I’m going to cut it straight, but please know these are only my opinions and although I have made the decision to delete it, I’m not passing judgment on anyone who loves the app. Let’s start with my biggest reason - it’s a huge waste of time! When I think about the person I want to be in 6 months, she does not waste even an hour on a brainrot app. I want to be wise and intellectually stimulated! I want to write well and experience life outside of a screen. I want to feel deeply and be moved by stories of the people I meet in real life! I want to serve my community and not be deceived into thinking I’m doing more by ~increasing my empathy~ through short-form videos. I think social media does a great job of distracting us and making us feel just good enough about ourselves that we never change or notice we’re wasting our lives away.
My other main reason is the impact on society and culture. I’m Christian, so I believe in protecting the purity of our youth and shielding them from a world that tells them to grow up faster.I find it jarring and heartbreaking when I’m in public and young girls are copying provocative TikTok dances or using social media slang. I’ve also seen many stats on how children are being impacted by social media and it isn’t good.
The remaining reasons are: the large culture of bullying on the app, dishonesty from creators, and the increase of rage bait. People are willing to do whatever is necessary to build a following and I just don’t care to witness it or take part. Bring back influencing taking hard work, grit, and purpose!
Although TikTok has many positives, I’m just not sure they outweigh the negatives for me. I am still figuring out exactly how I feel, but so far these are my thoughts. Regardless of the results, I have banned TikTok before it could ban me.
I’d love to hear what you think about the potential TikTok ban!
I agree 100%. I don’t have social media besides tik tok and people always look at me funny when I tell them I don’t. I personally struggle with comparing myself to others, thinking I should be far along in life based off of what I see going on in other peoples lives and it’s draining. I’m better than I was before but social media can definitely make you think you suck when in reality we’re right where God wants us to be
I agree wholeheartedly. I told God this morning how freeing it is to rediscover my identity in him and think back on my childhood desires and interests that were stripped away from me once I became influenced by social media.
When I was younger (5th-6th grade), instagram and twitter were just beginning to take off and I immediately fell victim to people pleasing and basing my self-worth/confidence/esteem on likes and engagement. I can’t even imagine what it’s like for youth now, especially with the rise & popularity of tiktok. It honestly makes me sad.
I have no interest in spending my free time on social media. A quick scroll is fine, but I want to live REAL life. People are sick. People are dying. People are struggling. People have no hope. I want to impact and encourage my community and I can’t do that if my screen time is 90% social media.
I literally spent my whole day yesterday at the gym and then singing. At first, I was like, ‘girl you literally wasted your day’, then I thought, ‘I could have wasted my day away watching TV’. Anyways, we’re definitely on the same wavelength when it comes to the negative impact of social media.