What’s going on with the popular TikTok app?

After almost a yearlong controversy, the TikTok drama recently received a 75 day extension from President Trump.

I personally think that TikTok should be banned not only because of the security threats it poses on our country and the users, but also because it’s contributing to a much shorter attention span for younger users, specifically Generation Z users.

I also believe that the app constantly leads to problems within society when kids see a dangerous—and sometimes illegal—trend and go out into public and record themselves participating in the trend.

TikTok is also a breeding ground for misinformation and after one post gains some traction, false news can spread extremely quick, leaving the users with false information that can damage their reputation or lead to misinformed decision making.

If that isn’t enough to make you hate TikTok (and the reason why the US government wants it either banned or sold to an American company), the app could be potentially collecting data that can be used and sold by the Chinese government for political or other unidentified purposes.

TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. And according to Chinese law companies like ByteDance must make their information available to the Chinese government.

“I think the world would be a better place without TikTok,” said senior Ty Butler.

This dangerous app may seem like a harmless social media app filled with entertaining content creators, but when you look beneath the surface it is manipulative and is a security threat to your data.

With the future of the app still in doubt we will see how the events play out leading up to the new deadline for ByteDance to sell the app. Knowing the potential threats that are associated with this app, wouldn’t you want TikTok banned or at least sold to a United States buyer?

Or better yet, just delete it yourself and get on with your life.