Earlier this week, TikTok went dark across the United States for half a day, a temporary blackout that coincided with Trump’s return to the presidency. Though brief, the ban reignited debates about the app’s future, which remains uncertain. The event also spurred widespread discussion, as experts weighed in on whether TikTok could survive long-term or if an American buyer might step in to secure its future.
The short-lived ban revealed some interesting shifts in user behavior. Some creators expressed regret over oversharing in what they believed would be their final posts, while others noted a general “vibe shift” in the app’s user base. However, the most thought-provoking takeaway came from Georgetown professor and best-selling author Cal Newport, whose analysis may prompt you to rethink not just your relationship with TikTok but with social media as a whole.
What the TikTok Ban Revealed
As a longstanding critic of social media, Newport has often highlighted the detrimental impact these platforms have on our attention spans and overall well-being. He has previously accused platforms like Twitter (or X) of turning our minds into “an inflamed pulp of enraged emotions” and argues that most people don’t actually need social media.
Newport’s criticisms aren’t unique. Social media co-founders, psychologists, and everyday users alike have long warned about its addictive and corrosive effects. But the TikTok ban didn’t necessarily teach us anything new about these issues—we already knew how social media affects us. What it did show, according to Newport, is that something can be done about it.
A Cultural Turning Point
Newport likened the temporary TikTok ban to crossing a “cultural Rubicon.” In a blog post, he reflected on how society has largely convinced itself that technology, once introduced, is here to stay. “Kids zoning out on TikTok or falling into Instagram rabbit holes are often met with shrugs and a resigned ‘What can you do?’” he wrote.
But TikTok’s brief removal demonstrated that these platforms are not untouchable. “These services are not sacrosanct,” Newport noted. “Laws can be passed, and life will continue.” This perspective reframes how both governments and individuals might approach their reliance on social media.
A Personal Wake-Up Call
While Newport discusses potential legislation, such as banning those under 16 from social media—an idea inspired by Australia—there’s a more personal takeaway here. Social media inertia has left many users feeling trapped. Recent studies even show that college students would pay for their peers to quit social media, indicating a collective desire to escape its clutches.
Newport’s perspective suggests the TikTok outage might inspire individuals to reconsider their dependence on these platforms. If TikTok’s 170 million American users could go without it for half a day without major disruption, perhaps quitting for good wouldn’t be as impossible as it seems.
Tools to Help You Disconnect
For those ready to rethink their social media habits, there are resources to guide the process. Newport’s Life of Focus course offers strategies for resetting your relationship with technology, while digital detox programs and resources like The Guardian’s “Reclaim Your Brain” newsletter provide actionable advice.
Though the TikTok ban was brief, its impact could be long-lasting. It served as a reminder that these technologies can be turned off, and life will go on. Perhaps it’s time to ask yourself whether social media is genuinely adding value to your life—or if it’s time to log off for good.
