TikTok’s future uncertain in US: What do Americans really think about the app? Here’s what survey shows

As TikTok faces the threat of a ban in US due to national security concerns, there is increasing debate about how the popular app can continue to operate in the country.

US search engine startup Perplexity AI has proposed to create a new entity combining Perplexity and TikTok US with the US government owning up to 50% of the new company, Reuters has reported quoting sources.

While the contours of the deal or whether it will make through remains to be seen, there is no doubt about the popularity of TikTok in America.

TikTok has become a major player in American social media over the years, gaining millions of users and shifting how people consume entertainment and news.

However, the platform’s future ran into uncertainty amid ongoing discussions about its ties to China and national security concerns.

A recent study from the Pew Research Center shows that 33% of US adults now use TikTok, a sharp increase from just 21% in 2021. The app is particularly popular among younger generations, with 59% of adults under 30 saying they use TikTok. In contrast, just 40% of adults aged 30 to 49, 26% of those 50 to 64, and 10% of adults aged 65 and older report using the app.

Entertainment is the primary reason Americans turn to TikTok, with 95% of users indicating they use the platform for fun. Yet, TikTok is increasingly being used for news as well. Half of US adult TikTok users (52%) report regularly accessing news on the app, more than double the 22% who reported this in 2020. The platform’s rise as a news source is especially strong among younger adults, with 45% of users aged 18 to 29 and 38% of those 30 to 49 turning to TikTok for news.

TikTok’s demographic makeup reflects broader trends, with 62% of regular news consumers on TikTok being women, and Hispanic adults making up 33% of news consumers on the platform. In comparison, Black adults account for 16% of TikTok news consumers, a higher proportion than their share of the general adult population.

Despite TikTok’s growing influence, the app’s future in the US is in doubt. A survey conducted in the summer of 2024 revealed that support for a TikTok ban has decreased to 32%, down from 50% in March 2023. Still, many Americans believe that a ban is unlikely, with half of adults expressing doubt about the possibility of such a move.

Opinions on TikTok’s impact on democracy are divided. A third of adult TikTok users believe the platform is beneficial to American democracy, while 17% view it as harmful. However, the majority of users (49%) believe TikTok has little to no impact on democratic processes.

As the app continues to gain traction in the US, the debate over its future remains ongoing, with questions about its role in shaping public discourse and influencing news consumption.