As a teacher who spends hours each day in the trenches of middle school classrooms, I’ve observed personally how much technology has shaped—and sometimes derailed—kids’ lives.
So when I heard about the TikTok ban being proposed in some parts of the country, my reaction was mixed. I mean, let’s be honest: TikTok isn’t just an app; it’s a cultural phenomenon. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this ban might not be such a bad idea after all.
Let me explain.
The TikTok takeover
First, we need to acknowledge the sheer magnitude of TikTok’s influence. This app isn’t just for fun dances and lip-sync videos anymore. It’s a platform where trends are born, news spreads (sometimes inaccurately), and kids can lose hours—no, days—scrolling mindlessly through a seemingly endless feed.
And while there are educational and creative opportunities on TikTok, let’s not pretend it’s all sunshine and rainbows. The app’s algorithm is designed to keep users hooked, and when that user is a 13-year-old who’s still figuring out their identity, that’s a recipe for distraction, anxiety, and sometimes even harm.
I’ll never forget when one of my students, Lily, came to me in tears because she’d been cyberbullied on TikTok. She’d posted a harmless video of her singing, only to have it flooded with cruel comments.
What hurt the most, she told me, was that the negative feedback didn’t come from strangers; it came from classmates. For weeks, she avoided participating in music class—something she’d always loved. TikTok had taken something that brought her joy and turned it into a source of shame.
The attention crisis
One of the biggest issues I see with TikTok is how it affects kids’ attention spans. These short, rapid-fire videos are practically training their brains to crave instant gratification. A math problem that takes five minutes to solve? Boring. A book chapter that requires sustained focus? Forget about it. I’ve had students tell me outright that they can’t concentrate in class because their minds keep wandering back to TikTok.
One of the biggest issues I see with TikTok is how it affects kids’ attention spans.
Take my student Kevin, for example. Kevin is a bright kid with a knack for science, but his grades have been slipping lately. When I asked him about it, he admitted that he spends about three hours a day on TikTok—and that’s on a good day.
He said he’d tried to cut back but found himself reaching for his phone without even thinking. The app had become a habit, one that was stealing time and energy he could’ve used for learning or even just being a kid.
The case for the ban
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Isn’t banning TikTok a bit extreme?” Maybe. But hear me out. Sometimes, drastic measures are what it takes to reset the balance. Think about the rise of “screen-free Sundays” or the increasing popularity of mindfulness practices in schools.
These aren’t just trends; they’re responses to a very real problem: kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) are drowning in digital content. A TikTok ban could serve as a much-needed wake-up call, forcing us to rethink how we engage with technology.
Imagine a world where kids spend their afternoons playing outside, reading books, or engaging in creative projects instead of endlessly scrolling. Imagine classrooms where students are more present, less distracted, and better able to focus on the task at hand. Doesn’t that sound like a world worth working toward?
Striking a balance
Of course, I’m not saying we should go full-on Amish and shun all technology. TikTok, like any tool, has its pros and cons. There are creators who use the platform to teach math tricks, share inspiring stories, or even offer mental health tips. But the key is balance—and that’s where we, as teachers and parents, come in.
When my school started a “digital wellness” initiative last year, I was skeptical. But it turned out to be one of the most impactful programs we’ve ever implemented. We taught students how to set boundaries with their devices, identify harmful online behaviors, and use technology responsibly.
The results were amazing. Kids who’d previously been glued to their screens started exploring new hobbies, spending more time with their families, and even excelling academically. It showed me that with the right guidance, kids can learn to use technology in a way that enhances, rather than detracts from, their lives.
The bigger picture
The TikTok ban is about more than just one app. It’s about addressing the broader issue of how technology is shaping—and sometimes undermining—our kids’ development. It’s about recognizing that while we can’t shield them from every digital distraction, we can teach them to navigate the digital world with intention and awareness.
I’m reminded of a conversation I had with a parent at a recent school open house. She told me she’d been considering deleting TikTok from her daughter’s phone but felt guilty about it. “Am I being too strict?” she asked. My answer was simple: “If it’s affecting her well-being, then no, you’re not. You’re being a parent.” Sometimes, saying “no” is the most loving thing we can do.
Look ahead
Whether the TikTok ban becomes widespread or not, one thing is clear: we need to have serious conversations about how we’re raising kids in the digital age. As a teacher, I’m committed to being part of that conversation—not just by setting boundaries in my classroom but by empowering my students to set boundaries for themselves.
Because at the end of the day, education isn’t just about teaching math or history. It’s about helping kids grow into thoughtful, confident, and capable adults. And sometimes, that means stepping away from the screen and stepping into the real world. If a TikTok ban can help make that happen, then I’m all for it.
(For privacy purposes names have been changed)
