The Chinese-government owned social media app, Tik Tok was granted a writ of clemency by President Donald Trump, staving off a ban passed by Congress and former President Joe Biden last year.

This reprieve is only temporary, though, with Tik Tok slated to be banished once again come April. For many, its one-day absence was enough to trigger delirium tremors, while others wished to salt the earth and murmur an incantation to ensure its continued absence.

We consider ourselves in both camps. For the day it was banned, Tik Tok felt like a phantom limb. Even though the app was no longer available to use to watch videos, it was difficult to not click on it out of habit. Going through morning social media checks in the morning, the app’s absence was felt and caused a shift in routine that truly showed everyone how dependent on the app we are.

While it may seem melodramatic to older generations, its not. Many use the app as a search engine. If you take a trip to New York and want to eat, Tik Tok will have you covered in your search to find the best restaurants near Times Square. Tik Tok made things like work with their customized “For You” tab by giving us the results that most aligned with our preferred content.

Some were unable to cope with its absence and were recalcitrant in the face of politicians who wished to keep them and their data firmly in the hands of American social media companies. Those users moved to other Chinese apps like Xiaohongshu or Red Note, telling the government “I don’t care if Chinese Communist Party has my data.” 

Others were never on the app and support the ban even more after seeing their friends go through tangible signs withdrawal, similar to nicotine detox. All of which may by experienced again, as the app will be removed again if an American company, Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary doesn’t buy it. The Trump administration has been less than clear on subject, supporting the ban initially and then saving it. It will likely come down to whatever way the wind blows when the time comes, and such uncertainty is never good for addiction recovery. 

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