Bye Bye TikTok
Students at Millikan accessing TikTok on schools network.
March 2, 2023
On Dec. 7, 2022, Texas Governor, Greg Abbott banned the download and use of the app TikTok, on all government provided devices; cellphone, computers, monitors etc. This decision came to be due to the possible risks of cyber attacks given that TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance Ltd.
This company concerns the U.S. government because the algorithm in which the TikTok app is built on can easily be manipulated. “China’s morals do not align with those of the United States” according to The Texas Tribune.
As a response to Gov. Abbott’s ban, University of Texas at Austin (UT) decided that they were in agreement with this decision. UT banned all use of the TikTok app on the school’s IT network and WIFI connection.
“The University is taking these important steps to eliminate risks to information contained in the University’s network and to our critical infrastructure,” states Jeff Neyland, technology advisor at UT, according to The Texas Tribune.
Since the ban occurred at UT many other schools have approved and joined this list of those who approve of the policy and banned the use of TikTok. Among this list are Auburn University, University of Oklahoma, The University of Texas at Dallas, and Texas A&M.
These changes call into question if K-12 schools should have the ability to block apps or websites on personal computers and other devices like TikTok.
Mrs. LeCesne, Millikan’s Computer Resources Coordinator, believes that schools should have control, to an extent.
“I do believe schools should have the ability to completely ban ‘some’ websites or apps. But, I feel that way for K-12. College seems a bit excessive for me as these students are considered adults,” said LeCesne. “We are in the age of immediate technology and I love that. But again I think everything in moderation. There does have to be limits. But I do not feel an adult should be setting those limits for another adult.”
Landynn Curo, a sophmore in PEACE, disagrees with the policies established by Gov. Abbott’s. “I think that schools shouldn’t be able to completely block apps. It would make sense to do it while we are in class but I when we are at lunch or during our unscheduled periods we should be able to use whatever we want,” says Curo.
It has become easier and more accessible to hack peoples devices and accounts, with step by step tutorials online. This proves that it is very important to make sure that we know what we are signing up for and how our information is being protected by large companies.
Finn Benitz • Oct 24, 2023 at 11:50 am
October 24, 2023
Dear Corydon Editor,
Through the article, I really appreciated the relevance of the issue regarding everyday school life. There was a high level of thoroughness in the representation of the view of both sides. By doing this, it gave us a much more clear understanding of why each side is advocating for their perspective. By tying the issue into national affairs, it also demonstrated its importance and relevance to the lives of our entire country. Another factor I’d love to see in the article is the connection of the overuse of TikTok with younger kids’ mental health and its interference in academic life. Although the ban is mainly centered around privacy motives, it would be really interesting to research the harmful effects on the over consumption of this recent app and if there’s any proof of disruption in student productivity. I believe it would greatly enhance the article if we were given a student and parent/adult outlook on the issue. That way, we could see both sides of the issue and the logic behind it. Aside from that recommendation, I found myself considering the privacy issue as well. I tend to think that these privacy precautions should be more communicated to everyone instead of taking away their right to use the app. Therefore, people could choose to accept the risks of TikTok. I’m still left wondering, what privacy violations are actually occurring? I’d like to hear more insight about the specificity of the issue so I can more accurately judge.
Sincerely,
Finn Benitz