Millions of American users and businesses rely on social media platforms like TikTok to promote their products and services. The U.S. Senate recently passed a foreign aid package that includes a ban on the popular app, but local establishments in Lincoln remain hopeful that it will continue to be available for use. Businesses such as Butterfly Bakery and Sunflower House Cookies showcase their cakes and cookies on their TikTok account, attracting customers to their business.
Social media is a crucial tool for bringing customers in the door, explains Stacy Tamerius, owner of these businesses. Many customers have mentioned that they visited the bakery after seeing their creations on TikTok. The app, which is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company with ties to the Communist Party, has a significant impact on the U.S. economy with millions of American users and businesses that utilize it for sales and growth opportunities.
The legislation currently being considered by Congress would ban TikTok in the U.S. unless ByteDance sells the app to an American company. Senator Pete Ricketts, who voted for the legislation, clarified that the bill does not completely ban TikTok but aims to prevent foreign adversaries like China from owning platforms that could pose a threat to national security. The measure is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden, potentially impacting millions of users and businesses that rely on TikTok for their social media presence.
Despite this news, many local establishments in Lincoln remain hopeful that TikTok will continue to be available for use in America. They believe that social media platforms like TikTok are essential tools for bringing in customers and growing their businesses.
For example, Butterfly Bakery and Sunflower House Cookies showcase their cakes and cookies on their TikTok account, attracting customers to their business through social media promotion.
Tamerius agrees that social media is an essential tool for bringing customers into her businesses’ doors.
“Many customers have mentioned that they visited our bakery after seeing our creations on TikTok,” she said.
The popularity of apps like TikTok has had a significant impact on American society and culture over the past few years.
As more people spend time online during the pandemic, these apps have become even more important as ways to stay connected with others and discover new content.
However, if Congress passes this legislation without allowing ByteDance to sell its stake in TikTok or another app takes its place as a dominant platform in this space then it could have far-reaching consequences beyond just affecting small businesses like Butterfly Bakery and Sunflower House Cookies.
It could also lead to changes in how we consume news and entertainment online or even restrict access to certain types of content altogether.