TikTok Ban Threatens Creator Economy: ‘There Is No Way I’d Have a Functioning Business’

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If TikTok is outlawed nationwide, where does that leave the folks who depend on it financially to survive?

A ban would devastate so many people’s well-being, said Maria Watkins, also known as @livingplanetfriendly, a creator with over 256,000 followers who posts about living a low-waste lifestyle. “Many small businesses have launched their business on the app, and you don’t get this level of engagement on other platforms,” Watkins said.

The US government, citing national security concerns, is trying to force a sale or shutdown of TikTok but is up against a number of legal challenges, including from TikTok’s Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance. Several content creators also filed a lawsuit, arguing that prohibiting the app would violate their First Amendment right to freedom of expression.

Beyond the debate around free speech and censorship, a potential ban on the popular social media platform is posing concerns over the future of TikTok creators’ careers and livelihoods.

The creator economy is massive. According to research reported on LinkedIn, there are currently 10 times more paid content creators in the US than the total number of police officers, doctors and lawyers combined.

Some people start on TikTok to monetize their hobby, share their life stories or leverage audience engagement as small business owners. Once a creator has at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 authentic video views over the last 30 days, they’re eligible for TikTok’s creator fund, which allows them to earn money based on how well a video performs.

Many creators make content on a part-time basis to supplement their regular income, pay their bills, gain brand recognition and develop production skills. Others become full-time creators, earning around $179,000 a year, and bigger influencers make an average of $344,000.