Public Opinion on TikTok
A new poll conducted by The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals a divided sentiment among U.S. adults regarding the future of TikTok. The survey found that 31% of adults support a nationwide ban on the video-sharing app, while 35% oppose such an action. Additionally, 31% of respondents neither favor nor oppose a ban on TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance.
Concerns about Chinese Influence
Discussions of banning TikTok gained momentum last year due to concerns that Chinese laws may require the company to share user data with the Chinese government. However, no specific evidence has been provided to support these claims. TikTok has vehemently denied any data sharing with the Chinese government and has taken steps to separate U.S. user data from its parent company. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. is currently reviewing the platform.
Congressional Efforts
Last year, bipartisan legislation was introduced to give the Commerce Department the authority to review and potentially restrict TikTok’s use. However, this legislation faced opposition from industry groups, digital rights advocates, influencers, and small businesses. These efforts stalled, leaving the future of TikTok in a state of uncertainty.
Generational Divide
The poll highlights a generational divide in opinions on TikTok. The majority of the app’s users, who skew younger, are less concerned about the app sharing American users’ data compared to the overall population. About a quarter of daily TikTok users express concerns about the Chinese government obtaining their personal information, while approximately half of all U.S. adults share this concern.
Limited Ban on Government Devices
The survey also indicates that 56% of U.S. adults would support a more limited ban on TikTok, specifically on government devices. Such bans have already been implemented by 36 states, the federal government, and some other countries. Approximately a quarter of adults remain neutral on this issue, while 17% oppose blocking TikTok on government devices.
Biden Campaign’s Use of TikTok
President Biden’s campaign has embraced TikTok as a way to connect with younger voters. The campaign has taken measures to protect security and isolate the app from other communications. However, some Republicans have criticized this decision, while others have found alternative methods to engage on the platform.
Concerns about Children and Misinformation
The poll reveals that a majority of adults, 59%, are concerned about the amount of time children and teenagers spend on TikTok. Additionally, 59% of adults express worries about the spread of misinformation on the app, while approximately half are concerned about dangerous or illegal activities displayed on TikTok.
Fact-Checking and Time Limits
TikTok has implemented time limits for minors, although these restrictions can be bypassed with a passcode. The company is also partnering with fact-checking organizations to combat misinformation. Recently, TikTok announced plans to establish fact-checking hubs within the app for the upcoming European Union elections.
Note: AP Journalist Linley Sanders contributed to this report.
Methodology: The poll surveyed 1,152 adults from January 25–29, 2024. The sample was drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.