How TikTok Changed American Culture
The app’s influence on Hollywood, school and more.
On Wednesday, President Biden signed into law a bill that would force TikTok’s Chinese owners to sell the app or face a ban in the United States. Though the government prefers a sale to a ban, a future without the app would be possible if no sale is made within 270 days, or about nine months, a time frame that the president could extend to a year.
Imagining this fate, writers at The New York Times reflected on TikTok’s influence across many aspects of American culture, including the entertainment business, schools and social media.
On today’s episode
Sapna Maheshwari, a reporter for The Times.
Brooks Barnes, a reporter for The Times.
Natasha Singer, a reporter for The Times.
Amanda Hess, a critic at large for The Times.
Sapna Maheshwari reports on TikTok, technology and emerging media companies. She has been a business reporter for more than a decade. Contact her at [email protected]. More about Sapna Maheshwari
Brooks Barnes covers all things Hollywood. He joined The New York Times in 2007 and previously worked at The Wall Street Journal. More about Brooks Barnes
Natasha Singer writes about technology, business and society. She is currently reporting on the far-reaching ways that tech companies and their tools are reshaping public schools, higher education and job opportunities. More about Natasha Singer
Amanda Hess is a critic at large for the Culture section of The Times, covering the intersection of internet and pop culture. More about Amanda Hess
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