Due to the rapid rise of technology, high school classrooms appear drastically different to how they’ve looked in just the last few decades. Current high schoolers have been born and raised in the digital age, and have been turning to technology since they were kids. A major factor in most students’ lives is social media, specifically Tik Tok. With the app’s initial launch and rise to popularity taking place in Gen Z’s elementary to middle school years, some have been using the platform to share their interests and memories for as long as they can remember. However, since 2020, a Tik Tok ban has been discussed in efforts to prohibit US data from being sold to other countries. Talks of this ban being carried out have flown around for the past five years, before it was finally decided that Tik Tok had until January 19th, 2025 to either sell to an American company or shut down for American users. The app did end up becoming unavailable for usage, but only for around 12 hours, before returning for American users. Even before the possibility for a ban was set, different generations had different points of view on the popular app, specifically in schools.
Rock Island Junior, Jenna Kitterman uses Tik Tok during school hours, like many of her peers. She stated, “My time on Tik Tok is very spread out, but it is always at least an hour a day.” She explained, “I tend to go on the app when I am done with my work, or if we have extra time in class.” However, regarding her classmates, Kitterman agreed that most people do not use their access to technology as responsibly as they should. “ Generally, people know when to be on their phone, but others can sometimes abuse the privilege, and it can take away from their learning.” Kitterman also explained that Tik Tok has actually had benefits to her academics, stating, “It (Tik Tok) has helped me learn new things, like study techniques.” Like most of Gen Z, Kitterman sees no issue in Tik Tok, and sees it as a resource, more than a threat.
Jenna Kitterman’s father, Mr. Jason Kitterman is a teacher at Rock Island High School. As for the students’ phone usage in his classes, he stated, “Every day, I see kids on their phones. sometimes, even while I am instructing.” Unlike his daughter, Mr. Kitterman supported the Tik Tok ban. He shared his opinions about the platform, stating, “It takes away from a lot of conversation and learning from each other by talking to each other, instead of just watching videos all the time.”
While Tik Tok is here to stay for the foreseeable future, some educators take bans into their own hands, creating strict no phone rules during their class. However, that does not always mean that students will actually follow them. In the meantime, it is important to appreciate the advantages of technology, but not let it take away from your education and life experiences.
