Picture this: you’re scrolling through your TikTok feed, and suddenly, you come across a familiar face – your governor! But wait, isn’t your state considering banning the app from state-issued devices? The plot thickens…
As concerns about TikTok’s ownership have grown, efforts to restrict the app have gained momentum in state legislatures across the country. Even the U.S. House has passed a bill to force a sale. In Pennsylvania, a bill that unanimously passed the state Senate last year could soon land on the desk of the Democratic governor.
But here’s the twist. Despite the scrutiny, governors and state agencies – and even President Joe Biden – are still using TikTok to promote their initiatives and reach out to the user base.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a rising star in the Democratic Party, is a prime example. He’s been posting on TikTok since his campaign days, and now his official governor account is filled with videos of him participating in viral trends, explaining his budget proposal, and even taking a playful jab at the Lone Star State using a song by Texas-born singer Beyoncé.
Other Democratic governors, like Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, have also embraced TikTok, despite their states having banned the app from government devices. Exemptions in these bans allow for some promotional accounts, which Whitmer has used to showcase her adorable dogs, March Madness brackets, and state initiatives.
So, why are politicians so drawn to TikTok? Some strategists say it’s a way to connect with voters on a personal level, although the app has attracted more and more adults lately.
These strategists have compared TikTok to President Franklin Roosevelt’s fireside chats during the Great Depression. Social media has played a significant role in recent elections, from Barack Obama’s Facebook presence in 2008 to Donald Trump’s Twitter dominance in 2016.
As the debate over TikTok’s future in the U.S. continues, it seems that Democrats are the ones grappling with the decision to ban or embrace the app. With the 2024 elections on the horizon, one question remains. Will TikTok be a powerful tool for engaging voters, or will security concerns ultimately lead to its demise?
The Associated Press contributed to this article.