TikTok receives ban on school WiFi due to security issues (2024)

FAQs

Why is TikTok getting banned at school? ›

In the past year, hundreds of school districts across the country have sued ByteDance Ltd and other social media companies claiming their apps are addictive for young users and are to blame for increased mental health challenges in youth. Several states have taken steps to restrict TikTok in schools.

TikTok Bans: Many countries and schools have blocked TikTok due to concerns about its parent company, ByteDance, and potential ties to the Chinese government.

Those in favor of banning TikTok are concerned that ByteDance put sensitive user data, including location data, purchase data, and other factors that go into TikTok's algorithm, into the hands of the Chinese government. Those in favor of the ban say this is a national security threat.

Why is the US threatening to ban TikTok? US lawmakers and authorities are concerned that data from TikTok's 170 million US users could be accessed by the Chinese state under national security laws.

The legislation gives TikTok's China-based parent company nine to 12 months to sell or be banned in the U.S., ensuring the app will remain active through the fall campaign.

The research shows that it's easy for students to waste time on TikTok, which puts their schoolwork on the back burner. There are many reasons why students procrastinate instead of doing their work – one being to escape from the daily stress of school life.

If you have a Windows computer, you can tweak your Wi-Fi router's URL-filtering settings to ban TikTok. Open the Admin Panel and log into your account. Open the "URL Filter List" (On some routers, it may be called the "Disallow List" or "Firewall"). Type "tiktok.com" into the URL field and tap "Save."

Has Texas tried to ban TikTok before? The State of Texas has not yet announced a TikTok ban. In December 2022, Gov. Greg Abbott banned the use of the app on government-issued cellphones and laptops, joining more than 30 U.S. states that enacted similar measures due to cybersecurity concerns.

The goal of these rules and restrictions is simple: to protect kids from harmful and distracting content on the internet. School is a place where kids should be learning. While the internet is a useful tool to do just that, it also brings countless dangers that schools should be wary of.

TikTok, whose mainland Chinese counterpart is Douyin, is a short-form video hosting service owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance. It hosts user-submitted videos, which can range in duration from three seconds to 60 minutes. It can be accessed with a smart phone app.

How many states have banned TikTok? ›

As of April 2023, at least 34 out of 50 states have announced or enacted bans on state government agencies, employees, and contractors using TikTok on government-issued devices. State bans only affect government employees and do not prohibit civilians from having or using the app on their personal devices.

We may permanently ban accounts if we identify the following violations of our Community Guidelines and Terms of Service, including: You don't meet the minimum age or other requirements as indicated in our Terms of Service. The account impersonates another person or entity in a deceptive manner.

Among lawmakers' chief concerns about TikTok is that its Chinese ownership poses grave national security risks to the United States. They worry the app could be used to spread misinformation, sow division and meddle in elections.

But it would disappear from Apple and Google's app stores, which means users won't be able to download it. This would also mean that TikTok wouldn't be able to send updates, security patches and bug fixes, and over time the app would likely become unusable — not to mention a security risk.

Lawmakers are concerned that TikTok is a threat to national security. ByteDance is based in China. Lawmakers worry that TikTok is collecting user data and could be used as a tool to influence U.S. elections. If TikTok continues to be owned by ByteDance, it could be banned in the U.S.

While TikTok states its mission is to “inspire creativity and bring joy” it's become much more than a platform for self-expression. It also has the potential to become a toxic environment for children, exposing them to highly addictive content and inappropriate, negative content and commentary.

The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban. Here's what to know. No, TikTok will not suddenly disappear from your phone.

Accounts that consistently violate Community Guidelines will be banned from TikTok. If your account has been banned, you'll receive a banner notification when you next open the app, informing you of this account change. If you believe your account was banned incorrectly, let us know by submitting an appeal.

As TikTok has solidified its place as the go-to platform for the younger generation's creative expression, colleges and universities have amped up their presence on the platform. In 2023, the academic world continues to light up the TikTok scene with a keen eye on engaging their Gen Z audience.