When someone scrolls through TiktTok’s homepage (also known as the “For You Page”), they might discover posts from Carly Ann Goddard, a Montana stay-at-home mom suing her state for outlawing TikTok. In the comment section of her posts, a heated debate sparks ensues between viewers. Some users are supportive of her ongoing lawsuit—others post replies blaming her for “ruining” their state and saying she is a communist.
Montana became the first state to ban the app TikTok last month. Supporters of the bill cite security concerns and are worried that the app, made by the Chinese company ByteDance, could aid the Chinese government in stealing data from American users. The debate has become increasingly polarized in Montana as opposing sides express their viewpoints, with the ban already facing legal challenges. Goddard and four other TiktTokers sued Montana, claiming the ban infringes on rights outlined in the First Amendment. This could also have major implications on the rest of the country’s response to TikTok—over half of the states have already banned TikTok on government devices and a bill named the RESTRICT Act has been proposed in the federal government.
For Goddard, the app is a way to connect and share her story with thousands, and it also provides extra income for her family through brand-sponsored videos. Before she started getting these sponsorships, her family was struggling to even go to the grocery store more than once a month.
“I’ve gotten so used to making this money,” Goddard said to the Washington Post. “I don’t think I can go back to being just paycheck to paycheck.”
While TikTok is a lifeline for Goddard, one of her other co-plaintiffs, Heather DiRocco, points to the growing extremism in the right-wing of American politics. DiRocco, a military veteran, felt that the oath she took in the military to protect citizens from threats both foreign and domestic was permanent.
“I don’t believe we’re a communist country,” DiRocco said. “I don’t believe that we are a fascist country. Do I see warning signs of it? Absolutely.”
Supporters of the ban, however, are concerned about the effects of social media on human minds and livelihoods. Cheyanne Erickson, a Montanan, has deleted all of her social media and says that she would like to see more a return to paper and pencil, just like in the past, TikTok is another social media platform that shouldn’t be engaged with.
“I do believe it’s something that’s used to watch over us, and it’s the most useless app ever,” Erickson said.
Patti Medicinehorse, a critical-care paramedic, supports the ban because she is concerned for her grandchildren. Viral, yet extremely dangerous trends are known to pop up all over TikTok, such as taking massive amounts of the drug Benadryl, which can cause children and teenagers to end up hospitalized or even die.
“We try to teach them to think and to be responsible and respectful, and they get caught up in what everyone else is doing and they don’t think about the danger,” said Medicinehorse.
However, some people think that the real problem is the rapidly polarizing political atmosphere in Montana. Hazel McKay, a painter living in Montana, said that he does not want to force his own views on anyone else, although he is concerned about the security of user data within TikTok. As someone who came from the rural areas of Montana to study in the big cities, he had his fair share of professors pushing political debate views onto students.
Furthermore, remote workers from richer areas like California started moving to Montana to find more space during the pandemic. Their presence not only drove up the cost of living there but also stirred bitter feelings among locals.
“The resentment towards outsiders has been around for quite a while. But I think lately it has intensified,” said Mike Dennison, a longtime political reporter in Helena.
Still, TikTok remains a source of connection to global communities and brings joy to Montanan users like Goddard—at least for now.
“I feel like I have found my purpose,” Goddard said. “I wake up every morning, loving that I do this.”
Montana became the first state to ban the app TikTok last month. Supporters of the bill cite security concerns and are worried that the app, made by the Chinese company ByteDance, could aid the Chinese government in stealing data from American users. The debate has become increasingly polarized in Montana as opposing sides express their viewpoints, with the ban already facing legal challenges. Goddard and four other TiktTokers sued Montana, claiming the ban infringes on rights outlined in the First Amendment. This could also have major implications on the rest of the country’s response to TikTok—over half of the states have already banned TikTok on government devices and a bill named the RESTRICT Act has been proposed in the federal government.
For Goddard, the app is a way to connect and share her story with thousands, and it also provides extra income for her family through brand-sponsored videos. Before she started getting these sponsorships, her family was struggling to even go to the grocery store more than once a month.
“I’ve gotten so used to making this money,” Goddard said to the Washington Post. “I don’t think I can go back to being just paycheck to paycheck.”
While TikTok is a lifeline for Goddard, one of her other co-plaintiffs, Heather DiRocco, points to the growing extremism in the right-wing of American politics. DiRocco, a military veteran, felt that the oath she took in the military to protect citizens from threats both foreign and domestic was permanent.
“I don’t believe we’re a communist country,” DiRocco said. “I don’t believe that we are a fascist country. Do I see warning signs of it? Absolutely.”
Supporters of the ban, however, are concerned about the effects of social media on human minds and livelihoods. Cheyanne Erickson, a Montanan, has deleted all of her social media and says that she would like to see more a return to paper and pencil, just like in the past, TikTok is another social media platform that shouldn’t be engaged with.
“I do believe it’s something that’s used to watch over us, and it’s the most useless app ever,” Erickson said.
Patti Medicinehorse, a critical-care paramedic, supports the ban because she is concerned for her grandchildren. Viral, yet extremely dangerous trends are known to pop up all over TikTok, such as taking massive amounts of the drug Benadryl, which can cause children and teenagers to end up hospitalized or even die.
“We try to teach them to think and to be responsible and respectful, and they get caught up in what everyone else is doing and they don’t think about the danger,” said Medicinehorse.
However, some people think that the real problem is the rapidly polarizing political atmosphere in Montana. Hazel McKay, a painter living in Montana, said that he does not want to force his own views on anyone else, although he is concerned about the security of user data within TikTok. As someone who came from the rural areas of Montana to study in the big cities, he had his fair share of professors pushing political debate views onto students.
Furthermore, remote workers from richer areas like California started moving to Montana to find more space during the pandemic. Their presence not only drove up the cost of living there but also stirred bitter feelings among locals.
“The resentment towards outsiders has been around for quite a while. But I think lately it has intensified,” said Mike Dennison, a longtime political reporter in Helena.
Still, TikTok remains a source of connection to global communities and brings joy to Montanan users like Goddard—at least for now.
“I feel like I have found my purpose,” Goddard said. “I wake up every morning, loving that I do this.”