With a potential ban on TikTok looming on the horizon, the Pew Research Center surveyed Americans because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up revealing their feelings on the whole affair. It turns out that support for a TikTok ban is quite high, with just 22% of Americans saying that they oppose it.
In spite of the fact that this is the case, 28% also said that they aren’t sure either way. Hence, about half of the country says that it wants a ban, while the other half either doesn’t want it or is conflicted about what they truly feel.
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that support for a ban is higher among older citizens than younger ones. This makes sense since younger citizens are far more likely to be on TikTok in the first place than might have been the case otherwise.
46% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 said that they oppose a ban on TikTok, whereas just 15% of people between 50 and 64 said the same. Unsurprisingly, people who use TikTok were among the most likely to oppose a ban, with 56% of TikTok users saying that such a ban simply won’t have their support. Interestingly, 19% of TikTok users themselves admitted that they are in support of such a ban.
Another interesting thing revealed in this survey was the potential Sinophobia. Learning that TikTok was a Chinese app doubled the likelihood that an American would support such a ban. 60% are already aware of the connection, though, and just 27% said that they had no idea about it.
Partisanship is also playing a role in shaping public perception. 43% of Democrats supported a ban, but as many as 60% of Republicans said the same. The decision to ban the app will have far reaching consequences, but it does appear to be the will of a small majority of people who are citizens of the US. This makes it more likely that it will happen.
Read next: America’s Top 10 Predictions for the Impact Tech and Social Media Will Have in the Future, Revealed
In spite of the fact that this is the case, 28% also said that they aren’t sure either way. Hence, about half of the country says that it wants a ban, while the other half either doesn’t want it or is conflicted about what they truly feel.
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that support for a ban is higher among older citizens than younger ones. This makes sense since younger citizens are far more likely to be on TikTok in the first place than might have been the case otherwise.
46% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 said that they oppose a ban on TikTok, whereas just 15% of people between 50 and 64 said the same. Unsurprisingly, people who use TikTok were among the most likely to oppose a ban, with 56% of TikTok users saying that such a ban simply won’t have their support. Interestingly, 19% of TikTok users themselves admitted that they are in support of such a ban.
Another interesting thing revealed in this survey was the potential Sinophobia. Learning that TikTok was a Chinese app doubled the likelihood that an American would support such a ban. 60% are already aware of the connection, though, and just 27% said that they had no idea about it.
Partisanship is also playing a role in shaping public perception. 43% of Democrats supported a ban, but as many as 60% of Republicans said the same. The decision to ban the app will have far reaching consequences, but it does appear to be the will of a small majority of people who are citizens of the US. This makes it more likely that it will happen.
Read next: America’s Top 10 Predictions for the Impact Tech and Social Media Will Have in the Future, Revealed
