On March 13, the House of Representatives approved legislation that could ban the second most downloaded app in 2023, TikTok, in the United States over concerns about the video-sharing platform’s Chinese ownership. The bill is currently awaiting Senate evaluation.

After recognizing the issues the platform poses for society, the evident verdict is for Congress to ban TikTok in the United States.

House Democrats and Republicans say the measure, which would pressure TikTok’s China-based owner ByteDance to divest, is needed to protect Americans’ data. Banning the platform is necessary to ensure U.S. national security. The app is vulnerable to adversaries in the Chinese government who could use data to undermine the security and privacy of roughly 150 million monthly users in the U.S. TikTok is an insecure platform where the sensitive information of users such as phone numbers, emails, and even financial information from the “TikTok shop” can be accessed by the company at any time.

Social media has a direct correlation with mental health. TikTok users, on average, spend 95 minutes on the platform, giving them enough time to develop unhealthy tendencies. Too many hours scrolling online has been statistically proven to increase depression, anxiety and self-harm, especially among ages 10 -19. TikTok promotes unrealistic body images for young men and women and institutes body dysmorphia that can develop into eating disorders. In addition, the app creates unrealistic goals for society to achieve that can oftentimes be discouraging.

Although TikTok has provided an outlet for self-expression and entertainment, as argued by opposing views, it brings more harm than good. Inappropriate videos are not always reported and, therefore, risk harming users. In particular, children on the platform are often exposed to mature content absent parental consent.

Congress must heavily consider the damages done by TikTok to the nation. If TikTok is to continue being accessed by Americans, millions of people must be prepared to face the repercussions.