Popular short-form video app TikTok was banned to millions of users in the United States on Jan 18 before being brought back not even 24 hours later the following day.

TikTok was planned to be banned in the U.S. under its China-based parent company. The Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. government can shut down TikTok constitutionally. The court case covered the conflict between the right of free speech and threats posed to the U.S. national security by TikTok. U.S President, Donald Trump, has shared that he was trying to keep TikTok available.

At night on Saturday Jan 19 users opened TikTok to see a message informing them that TikTok was banned and planning to be brought back shortly. Less than 24 hours later on Jan 19, users found that TikTok was back “as a result of President Trump’s efforts.” MCHS students share their opinions on the TikTok ban.

“I’ve had TikTok for around five years,” says Viola Fabisch, a sophomore at MCHS and content creator. “If TikTok gets banned I think I’ll become really bored in my free time. I started growing my platform by making videos with my friends for fun, and unexpectedly, they did really well.”

Other students who don’t use TikTok often still share their opinions on what could happen in our school with a potential ban.

“I download TikTok and then I regularly delete it once I start to feel addicted,” says Brody BeLow, a junior at MCHS. “I believe if it gets banned it’ll be hard for the students and make it harder for people to communicate with their friends.”

Other students share how this ban can affect our school, and how the app is helpful to them as students.

“I would say I am addicted to it,” says Hillary Duran, a junior at MCHS. “I feel like maybe kids will start paying attention in class … if I don’t understand a concept in math, I just do a quick little search and find videos of examples.”