Content Creators in the UK have expressed their fears over the temporary ban of TikTok in the US.
The shutdown on 19 January served as a reminder for creators to avoid being financially dependent on a single social media app as their main source of income.
Former US president Joe Biden signed a law last year April stating TikTok would need to be sold to a non-Chinese owner by that date or face being banned.
UK content creator Bolaji Williams, also known as BWMakeorBreak, 23, said: “I was like ‘What’s happening? I need to move my platform away’.
“So, I started to post a bit more on other platforms because I thought this was about to be done. I would need my followers to be able to find me on other platforms.”
The ban highlighted the benefits of TikTok and the impact it has had on the lives of creators, many of whom started off as ordinary people, but built a life they could only hope for through content creation.
Williams said: “It keeps my brain working – whilst going to university, I was making content and meeting with some of the biggest creators, speaking to French footballers and that’s genuinely because of the opportunities with TikTok.
“I’m from London but 90% of my audience is in France.
“Nella Rose gave me opportunities to meet some of the biggest rappers and creators just from her recognising that I am from London, I’ve met people on TikTok that I could now classify as family.”
He added the ban worked as a reminder to creators, to be careful with how much they depend on social media platforms as it could be gone at any moment.
Williams said: “Since the TikTok ban, I’ve seen people move outside of TikTok, they are no longer relying on just TikTok anymore.”
Content creators are now aiming to build something which can be relied upon, as some claim social media does not provide certainty.
Content Creator and student Anthonia Edomwamde, also known as Anthoscorner, 21, said: “The US ban made me realise we are not in control of social media.
“It can disappear. It’s happened with other apps for example, Vine.”
She added, although some people can comfortably quit their jobs for six months to a year as social media does pay well, this sense of security is inconsistent and can easily be removed.
After building a platform on TikTok of over 58k followers, Edomwamde who wanted to be a travel nurse, plans to build a life of comfort without depending on social media.
She said: “Social media is only the beginning, my plan is to create my own skincare line which I plan on launching this year.
“Social media was never going to be my only source of income because as we have seen, it can disappear tomorrow, and I’ll be left with nothing.”
In 2023, TikTok was banned on all UK government devices due to security concerns.
