Dana Krukovska
In the latest video, we asked Ashland University students their opinions on the TikTok ban in the United States and the rising popularity of Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, a Chinese social media platform with an interface similar to TikTok’s.
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When asked about the TikTok ban, some students reflected on how this social network affects their education.
Kennedy, AU student, learns a lot from TikTok. She says that everything depends on how a person uses the app.
“In one of my classes we take a test on current events, and I can go on there and look up,” Kennedy said.
Chloe, a special education student, reacted to the question with a smile.
“I think I will be a lot more productive, if it gets banned,” Chloe said.
Some students do not have a certain opinion on TikTok because they have not used it.
“I don’t have an opinion formed because I don’t have much information on it,” Madeline, another AU student, said.
Ron, AU student, said he believes that TikTok is getting banned not due to the threat to the national security of the U.S.
“I don’t think it’s about China getting our information. It has more to do with the American government’s fear of TikTok being completely unbiased news,” Ron said.
About RedNote
In search of a similar online environment, 700,000 people in the U.S. have signed up for RedNote, making it No. 1 among social networks in the App Store.
RedNote, with headquarters in Shanghai, China, is mostly used by Mandarin speakers. None of the AU students we interviewed downloaded the app. Some have not heard about it before.
“I’ve seen some TikToks [videos] about it, but I haven’t downloaded it. I probably won’t,” Chloe said.
“I’ve seen they [RedNote users] have to fill out like a form and it’s in Mandarin and they don’t really know what they’re filling out,” Kennedy said.
TikTok Ban Update
As of Jan. 19, TikTok is in the process of restoring its services after temporarily shutting down the app at 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 18. In the statement, shared on X, TikTok thanked President Trump for collaborative efforts to keep the app.
“It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,” reads the statement.
