Does Gov. Whitmer Make a Valid Point About Tik Tok???

 In 2023, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer prohibited the use of Tik Tok on any equipment owned by the state. Nonetheless, the app is still allowed to be used by certain state agencies. Whitmer’s move was brought about by Biden's ban on Tik Tok on government-owned devices. The information-mining methods of the Chinese-owned app, which gave priority to child use and created privacy concerns regarding the owners' possible access to data from Tik Tok-connected devices, served as her main defense for taking this action. In return, she and the Michigan government may now relax, knowing that this preventive measure has kept their data safe from the Chinese authorities. Despite everything she has done with the app and her concerns, she still utilizes a specific "Tik Tok only phone" to access her active Tik Tok account. Although she expresses worries, she also notes that the app has significantly captured the attention of younger users, which is her primary motivation for utilizing it. Despite her distaste for the Chinese-owned software, she recognizes its significance for the well-being of our government and chooses to reach out to the young voters in hopes to keep them engaged with events going on in our political system.

My Take:

While I am an active Tik Tok user I have to say that Whitmer made good claims to her suspicion of the app and possible threats it might have towards our government while simultaneously defending it for the huge impact it has on the new generation of voters. I mean come on the government can hate it sure but with the amount of people using the platform everyday as their information source there must be aspects they can’t go without as Whitmer outlined. Social media is the new generations form of news stations. Without these media outlets the voter turnout will continue to shrink as Tik Tok in specific is almost the lifeline that the government has to keep young people engaged and voting. 

 

My Question to You:

If you were in a government position and you had the option to ban Tik Tok on government phones would you? or would you allow the app on government devices? Why?

 

https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/michigan-governor-whitmer-explains-tiktok-use-as-app-is-banned-on-state-phones

Let's Slap Gen-Z Voters in the Face!!!

While both Republicans and Democrats are not in favor of the app Tik Tok, political influencers including Aidan Kohn-Murphy are using the app to fight back against people in office specifically speaking on the Biden administrations intentions on killing Tik Tok. While Murphy was pro Biden going as far as launching a who group on Tik Tok aimed in the support of Joe Biden while he was running for presidency during the 2020 elections, he has now changed gears advocating for Gen-Z political involvement through Tik Tok. Through his movement of using Tik Tok to now work on deterring Bidens choices of the survival of this app Murphy along with his co-creators with a combined 500 million followers are coming in stronger than ever to fight for this app not just for themselves but for the health of our political environment itself.  Along with Murphy there are several other influencers trying to reach the house with the concern that they are making the jump to strike Tik Tok down without even being truly involved in the online community to see what advantages they risk losing if the ban is carried out. The main concern is the push from government officials to get young voters more politically active yet contemplating banning the most widely used and influential app these young voters use to gain perspectives of political events, movements, and elections. With members of the Biden administration going as far to admit that banning the app will endure a dead end towards their reach on voters under 30. With democratic parties is having seen a positive change in their voter turn outs through this app it is ironic such an argument is even being presented. As Democratic strategist Kurt Bardella finds through an interview with a very well-off influencer what their plan B is if the government stops Tik Tok they didn’t have one. This just goes to show the hold this app has on not only the lives of Gen Zs but throughout all world even issues. 

My Take:

Through being an active user on the political side of Tik Tok I am a part of the 500 million followers of this movement. It both makes me happy and blows my mind that we must even create such movements to preserve this app. For the white house to even check out the movement and see just how much support it has (more than the entire American population) and still turn their head at it is asinine. These political figures are being set in place to protect this country and serve in the best interests of its citizens, yet they want to handicap the new generation of voters due to their relationship with China? When there is no evidence backing up their claims of the Chinese app creator aside from our government’s “feelings”.

 

My Question to You:

Have you come across any Tik Tok about Murphy’s Gen-Z political preservation? If you have what was your takeaway about the information being presented to you?

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/tiktok-ban-slap-face-young-democratic-voters-activists-warn-rcna76142

Influencers Merge with the White House

 

While the Biden administration is in favor for getting rid of Tik Tok they are ironically using the app and many of the major influencers to create videos that encourage a higher voter turnout for younger people while educating viewers on Bidens reelection agenda goals for the new term as president (if he gets reelected). Bidens digital strategy team is attempting to gain influencers to work with from regions all over the country who utilize the apps tik tok and Instagram the most. With the goal of attracting young voters in specific targeting these two social media apps will allow for the best outcomes that are favored by the Biden administration. With the label that the United States government gave tik tok of being a potential threat to US government they sure are leaning the most on this app to sway their desired outcome. To add to this insistent reliance on tik tok new sparks have furthered the US suspicion of the app through recent interviews with Shou Zi Chew that US officials perceived as threating. This event and the reaction of the Biden administration is very interesting, they add new events to their list of suspicions of the app, yet the Biden administration and all other candidates are still betting the ideal outcome of young voters on tik tok.

My Take:

With how simple it is for anyone to view these short and satisfying videos pack with information I understand the Biden administrations tactic of recruiting tik tok influencers to work with the White House to help grab the attention of millions of young adults. But what confuses me is the debate on if tik tok is trusted or not in the government’s eyes yet tik tok is still the most utilize tool within all parties of government to sway voter turnout in their favor. Why would the US want to ban an app that has shown multiple times how impactful it can be with the outcomes of how our government system turns out. Specifically speaking aside from the Biden administration using it as a tool to gain votes the app has also raised awareness to corrupt government events which resulted in a positive correction.

My Question to You: 

If you are not that into voting in elections what kind of tik tok posts would capture your interest the most? Do you believe that the Biden administration will see the favored outcome among young citizens and voting out come in this election? Why/Why not?

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/white-house-recruits-tiktok-influencers-to-reach-young-voters-with-key-mess/647167/