As the TikTok ban looms over the United States, NYHS students anticipate having more free time and increased productivity due to the lack of distractions. 

An anonymous survey of 23 NYHS students revealed that over half of the survey participants do not have TikTok and rarely use it. However, those who do use it vary from ten minutes to two hours a day. Opinions on the ban also varied.

One anonymous student said, “I think that they [the government] have good reasons because TikTok, while able to be a tool for learning, is used to addict millions and enforce procrastination.” 

TikTok is a social media platform made for creating and sharing short videos. In April 2024, former President Joe Biden signed a law forcing ByteDance, the developer of TikTok, to sell the platform to a U.S. buyer or face a ban. President Donald Trump issued two extensions: one on January 20 and one on April 4. Trump is open to a joint ownership between the United States and “the current and/or new owners” via his Truth Social. He is opposed to banning it because doing so would boost Facebook, whom he referred to as “an enemy of the people.”

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, support for the TikTok ban has gone down in America from 50% in March 2023 to 34% in March 2025. Those opposed cited free speech issues, lack of evidence that TikTok is a threat to national security and concerns of hurting those who make their income off the app.

Another anonymous student agrees with the participants of the survey. “I don’t want it to get banned,” they said. “I learn a lot from it and I always fact check what I learn. I also like the creative aspect of it.” 

Sophomore Levi Schiffmann echoes this point. “I think it’s a very useful place to get news from people my age,” he said. He claims to be distraught about the ban, and is worried about losing TikTok because it is his main news source.  

However, some students disagree with this. Freshman Jonah Negrin said that he looks forward to being more productive without TikTok. Freshman Riley Wieghat, while he does not use TikTok, notices those around him constantly scrolling on the app and hopes that they will put down their phones when the ban goes into effect. Sophomore Mose Owen agrees, citing that as the reason he does not have TikTok. 

“It’s a big way for people to spend a lot of time,” he said. “And I feel I’m better than that.” 

The next ban is set to take place on June 19. Trump has said he is willing to issue another extension if needed according to USA Today.