SUMMARY

TikTok might soon be banned or sold to new ownership in the U.S. This week the Senate approved legislation as part of a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies. But TikTok doesn’t plan to go down without a fight and says this is an unconstitutional violation of free speech. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with David McCabe of the New York Times.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who currently owns and operates the social media app TikTok?
2. Where is the TikTok parent company BiteDance located?
3. Why has Congress voted to force a sale of TikTok?
4. When is TikTok expected to be sold to a U.S. company, according to recently passed law?
5. How might TikTok push back against the forced sale, according to this story?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. Do you think the U.S. government should force the sale of TikTok? Why or why not?
2. What do you think would be the most significant consequences of the government forcing the sale of a private company like TikTok?

Media literacy: Who else might you want to hear from to better understand what impact this law might have?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you like to learn more about?

FOR MORE

What students can do: Read the following passage from the article "Senate passes bill forcing TikTok’s parent company to sell or face U.S. ban" then discuss — Do you think a "comprehensive federal data privacy law" would be a better way to protect user information than a TikTok ban? If so, how do you think such a policy would work?

"Many opponents of the TikTok measure argue the best way to protect U.S. consumers is through implementing a comprehensive federal data privacy law that targets all companies regardless of their origin. They also note the U.S. has not provided public evidence that shows TikTok sharing U.S. user information with Chinese authorities, or that Chinese officials have ever tinkered with its algorithm."

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