UM influencers on freedom, security and the future of TikTok

Photo of Emeline Smith. Photo Courtesy of Emeline Smith.

TikTok is used by thousands of University of Miami students daily to keep up with the latest trends and events. But, for the handful of UM influencers, it’s more than just a platform. It’s a livelihood.

The TikTok ban scare in the United States has raised pressing concerns about financial instability and freedom of expression among student influencers and everyday users. It has sparked a broader discussion about the societal impact of removing such an influential platform.

For creators like Lauren Barnwell, a 19-year-old student at the University of Miami with 473.6k TikTok followers, the app is unparalleled in its ability to foster creativity and reach wide audiences.

 “There’s no other platform where you can reach as wide of an audience as quickly and effectively as TikTok,” she said. 

She credits TikTok’s unique algorithm for her success in spontaneous, short-form content. 

“Everything you post is like a lottery ticket,” she said, emphasizing the platform’s ability to amplify voices overnight.

Emeline Smith, a 21-year-old UM student micro-influencer with 15.4k followers, echoed this sentiment. 

“TikTok has the easiest algorithm to receive engagement and to reach a wide variety of audiences,” she said. 

Unlike Instagram or YouTube, where algorithms often prioritize established creators, TikTok has revolutionized content creation, allowing anyone to go viral with the right mix of creativity and timing.

The planned ban on TikTok left influencers facing the discouraging prospect of losing their primary source of income. For Barnwell, the platform has been a lifeline, offering financial independence through the TikTok Creator Fund and brand partnerships.

 “I was able to help my mom with bills and other little things,” she said.

TikTok has not only supported her but also eased her family’s burdens. This financial stability has brought reassurance to her parents as well. 

“My parents and family knowing that I have that security means they don’t have to worry about me as much,” she said.

However, her success is deeply tied to TikTok’s unique ability to drive massive engagement. 

“Most of my revenue and partnerships depend on the amount of followers I have,” she said, noting that transitioning to platforms like Instagram or YouTube, where her following is smaller, would significantly cut her earnings. 

TikTok’s unmatched potential for rapid views and viral reach has made it an essential foundation for her financial and personal independence.

“There is nowhere else you can get views like that in that short amount of time other than TikTok,” she emphasized.

Smith, while optimistic about finding alternatives, acknowledged the challenges of rebuilding her audience. 

“The percentage of people who are actually going to put in the effort to click a link and follow you on other platforms isn’t gonna be that high,” she admitted. 

Beyond its role as a platform for influencers like Barnwell and Smith, TikTok has proven to be a powerful tool for small businesses, transforming the way they reach and engage with customers. 

The app’s algorithm not only amplifies individual voices but boosts visibility for entrepreneurs, with 52% of users reporting they’ve made purchases after discovering small businesses on TikTok. 

This dynamic has created a unique space where businesses of all sizes can thrive, leveraging the platform’s blend of entertainment and commerce to drive sales and foster meaningful connections with their audience.

Beyond individual creators, the potential ban raises broader societal questions. For many users, TikTok has become a critical source of news and information. 

Barnwell emphasized her opinion on TikTok’s unique role in modern media, stating, “TikTok is the only unbiased and unfiltered news source that we have in the world,” and highlighted its ability to draw attention to events and stories often overlooked by traditional outlets.

The platform’s ability to amplify voices from diverse backgrounds and provide real-time updates has made it a powerful tool for uncovering and sharing stories that might otherwise remain hidden.

“It has the capability of getting the public involved with the news instead of it just coming from one central broadcast,” Chase Gerber, 20, a UM student and former TikTok influencer who had 80,000 followers back in 2020, said. “You get way more details in a story and see things central news won’t show.”

Photo of Lauren Barnwell. Photo Courtesy of Lauren Barnwell.

However, critics of TikTok cite national security concerns stemming from its Chinese ownership. U.S. lawmakers have scrutinized the app, questioning whether it poses a risk to data privacy. 

Gerber countered this perspective, saying, “almost every single platform has some form of data privacy issue, not just the ones that are owned by China. I think there’s a lot more industry and production that China has its fingers in.” 

If the ban went into effect, it could have fundamentally altered the landscape of social media and content creation. Both Barnwell and Smith anticipate that creators will adapt, but not without significant effort.

 “I think there will be another app that will come up real quick that’s like a duplicate of TikTok,” Barnwell said, though she admitted that no platform currently matches TikTok’s ease and efficiency.

The uncertainty has prompted many creators to consider diversifying their content across multiple platforms, though the process is neither quick nor straightforward.

Smith is already preparing to shift her focus to YouTube and Instagram.

“Now is the time to act,” Smith said. “There’s going to be so many people moving to new platforms, and you don’t want to get buried under everyone else.” 

Despite the challenges, she remains hopeful. “Everything happens for a reason, and if you look at it as a new start, you’re gonna be successful no matter what you do.”

While policymakers weigh the risks and benefits of the ban, creators like Barnwell and Smith are urging them to consider the broader implications. 

“If they support this ban, then the whole reason they’re in office is a lie,” Barnwell said. 

Barnwell feels lawmakers will be going against their oath to the Constitution to preserve American rights, like free speech. Smith struck a more conciliatory tone, acknowledging the government’s efforts to ensure safety but cautioning against the unintended consequences. 

For creators, the debate over TikTok’s future is about more than just an app, it’s about the intersection of technology, security and free expression in an increasingly digital world. The potential ban represents a seismic shift in how they connect with audiences and sustain their livelihoods.

In an article written by NPR, TikToker Emily Senn tearfully shared, “It feels like I am losing a really good friend, and that sucks.”

Beyond personal loss, the ban raises concerns about what Eric Dahan, CEO of Mighty Joy, called TikTok’s unique ability to “generate and spark a unique community,” allowing creators to organically become influencers and build careers. 

In a future without TikTok, effects would ripple far beyond the app itself, shaping the future of content creation as a career and digital engagement for years to come.