What's going to happen to TikTok if it's banned? New apps on the horizon

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — There are only five days left until the potential ban of TikTok.

TikTok must sell the social media platform by Jan. 19 or it will be banned for U.S. users.

That's if the Supreme Court doesn't intervene to block a federal law that forces the app to cut ties with its Chinese-based parent company.

TikTok has almost been banned in the United States multiple times.

This goes back to 2020 when then-president Trump attempted to force the sale of TikTok.

"One, do I think it's going to happen? No, I don't, but if it does, I actually think life is going to go on without TikTok," said Phillip Calvert, social media influencer.

Travel influencer Phillip Calvert says the influencer community is always looking for what's next.

"I talked to a few of my friends who are influencers, and they were like, keep your head on a swivel. Whatever is new, hurry up. Jump on it," said Calvert.

Calvert focuses on positivity in his posts, saying it's built a community that inspires each other.

"I get DMs about how my posts made their day, made them laugh, how it motivated them," Calvert explained.

TikTok has more than 170 million U.S. users.

According to the Pew Research Center, most of those users are teens, with a third being adults.

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Amanda Heins says while social media can bring people together, more often, it will have reverse effects.

"Feeling actually more isolated or outcasted. So it starts to create more anxiety for kids, teens, and even adults," said Heins.

On Saturday, Milwaukee Public Schools joined hundreds of other school districts in a class-action lawsuit against social media companies.

They claim the apps are addictive and harm to kids' mental health.

"I certainly see it exacerbates symptoms," said Heins.

Dr. Heins says kids are intuitive and know when they're falling behind.

She says they struggle with social skills and the art of having an in-person conversation.

"Those soft skills are really important to learn, and I think that's where anxiety can start to develop," Heins explained.

While the debate over mental health rages on, Calvert says for a lot of influencers, TikTok is their main source of income.

"The effect it's going to have on people who, for the first time, seen more money than they've ever seen working a 9-5, it's going to suck," said Calvert.

Here's what would happen on Jan. 19 if the TikTok is banned.

First, the app will disappear from U.S. app stores.

You will continue to have access to TikTok if it's already on your phone.

However, TikTok will not be able to send updates or fix bugs in the app, so eventually, it will be unworkable.

New apps are already on the rise, including a Chinese app called RedNote and Lemon8, which is also owned by TikTok owner Byte Dance.