Content creators have been flooding TikTok with emotional goodbyes, nostalgic tributes, and expressions of concern. TikTok's app has been removed
from prominent app stores in the United States late Saturday. In
anticipation of the move, content creators have been flooding the
platform with emotional goodbyes, nostalgic tributes, and expressions of
concern over losing a space that has shaped online culture and launched
their careers. Tearful
posts like that of Emily Senn, a singer with 347,600 followers, voiced
the uncertainty creators face. "I'm never going to trust you (U.S.
government) ever again because you just, like that, took away millions
of people's income and livelihood, and who does that?" she lamented in a
viral TikTok post. Her emotional response reflected the anxiety among content creators who built their careers and communities on the platform. For some, TikTok was more than entertainment. Singer Charlie Puth struck a melancholic note by performing his hit "See You Again," which has become synonymous with goodbye. Singer
Victoria Paris, with 1.9 million followers, lamented the shutdown just
shy of reaching a milestone. "Everything hurts ... I have ten thousand
followers until hit 2 million," she told her followers in a post a few
hours ago. Meanwhile,
singer Doechii offered hope, reminding followers in a TikTok post: "We
survived Vine; you'll survive, too." Vine was a popular social media app
that was shut down in 2017 due to challenges in monetization and
retaining creators. "I'll be on the next one. I'm on RedNote, so you can find me there," Doechii added. RedNote,
a Chinese social media app, has emerged as a popular alternative for
TikTok users. Many creators, including Doechii, are urging followers to
join them there. TikTok
warned Friday it would "go dark on Jan. 19" without assurances from the
Joe Biden administration. The administration said in a statement that
the decision would rest with President-elect Donald Trump. On
Saturday, Trump told NBC News that he would "most likely" give TikTok a
90-day reprieve from a potential ban after he takes office on Monday. As
TikTok becomes temporarily unavailable in the United States, creators
and users continue sharing farewell messages, reflecting on how the
platform built community ties.
