The aftermath of the 2016 U.S. presidential election revealed the potential for social media to be manipulated by foreign powers to influence domestic politics. The 2018 indictment by Special Counsel Robert Mueller detailed how Russian interests used platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram to sway public opinion with hashtags like #Hillary4Prison and #MAGA. Now, as we approach the 2024 election cycle, the focus is on the Chinese-owned app TikTok, which has over 170 million monthly active users in the U.S. and has been shown to influence political sentiment, especially among young Americans.
In response to the threat posed by TikTok, Rep. Mike Gallagher and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This legislation aims to prevent TikTok from being distributed in the U.S. unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The article argues for the importance of this legislation in safeguarding American democracy and protecting against foreign influence in our electoral process.
TikTok’s growing influence among young Americans is highlighted by the fact that 32% of those aged 18-29 report regularly getting news from the app, a significant increase from just 9% in 2020. This makes TikTok one of the top news sources for Generation Z, underscoring its potential impact on shaping public opinion and political discourse. The platform has already been linked to real-world consequences, such as a rise in antisemitic incidents on U.S. college campuses following the Israel-Hamas conflict and a surge of pro-Palestinian content on TikTok.
The article emphasizes the need to recognize the power of social media as a tool for shaping public perception and driving political narratives. With TikTok playing a prominent role in shaping the views of young Americans, it is crucial to address the potential for foreign interference and manipulation on the platform. By passing legislation to restrict TikTok’s operations in the U.S. unless it cuts ties with ByteDance, lawmakers can take proactive steps to safeguard the integrity of American democracy and protect against external threats to our electoral process.
As we confront the challenges posed by foreign-controlled social media platforms like TikTok, it is essential to prioritize the security and sovereignty of our democratic institutions. By addressing the influence of foreign adversaries on popular apps like TikTok, we can mitigate the risk of external interference in our electoral process and uphold the principles of free and fair elections. The introduction of legislation like the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act represents a critical step towards safeguarding our democracy and ensuring that the voices of American citizens are not drowned out by malicious foreign actors.
