Tikok Survivors Recount Their Trauma from January 19

Ashtrevivo, Staff Illustrator — April 22, 2025

World thrown into an apocalyptic state: Millions of chronically online people realize they must return to their prehistoric roots and accept their fate despite yearning to satisfy their scrolling addictions during the Tiktok Ban January 19, 2025 (Photo by Ashtrevivo)

On Jan. 19 at 7:29 pm sharp, a notification indicating the much-dreaded TikTok ban appeared on the screens of millions of users mid-scroll. People raced to save their edits, scoured old drafts, and attempted to rewatch all the Hype House drama, but there just was not enough time to mass-consume years of brain rot.

"I just dropped to my knees in the middle of a Walmart," said Mr. Chronicallyonline.

Devastated teenagers around the world let out a cry of despair before quickly migrating to other social media apps, desperate to confirm the unthinkable. It was done. TikTok had officially locked out all Americans and left group chats in ruins. Streak pets were murdered, referencing TikToks became schizophrenic behavior, and worst of all, no platform could replicate the sheer essence of TikTok's hilarious comment sections.

"I even thought I gave myself enough time to scroll for an additional three hours before the app would be taken away from me. So much for no procrastination," said Arcaneeditmaster.

"I couldn't stop. I kept scrolling reels, only to get bored, and then swiping up to tap on TikTok. It was like muscle memory," said Frankoceanlvr, "But every time, I was met with that notification. That banner will haunt my nightmares."

"One day, my kids will hear about this app and call me crazy. I'll tell them, 'Crazy? I was crazy once,'" said Chrissywakeup.

"'Touch grass,' they said. 'It'll be good for you,' they said. I miss my baby... I miss my Tiktok," said Unemploymentfinalboss.

Hours in, users scrambled for a TikTok substitute to feed their intensifying scrolling withdrawals. The internet was thrown into chaos — Instagram reels had become a warzone, X (formerly twitter) was flooded with grieving influencers, and most importantly, Red Note — a Chinese social media app — was overtaken by the Americans.

Soon enough, Chinese netizens were sympathizing with the TikTok refugees, while desperate Americans scrambled to learn Mandarin in an attempt to bring back an app that recaptured the TikTok experience. Some of TikTok's biggest addicts went as far as downloading Canadian VPNs to sneak back in. However, even this alternative failed, as the rest of the world felt the gaping absence of the loud American users. It seemed as if there was not even a glimmer of hope left, and TikTok users were forced to accept their grim fate.

That night, daily bed rotters went to sleep in agony, not touching their phones and actually closing their eyes before the clock struck midnight. Fortunately, as noon rolled around, social media exploded once more — this time with the announcement of the ban finally being lifted (after 12 grueling hours), bringing the crisis to a close. What previously felt like an impossible task became reality, and cries of celebration could be heard all around. Instead of sunshine and rainbows, the world was once again nothing but blue light and dry eyes — ultimately providing momentary peace to the TikTok community.

"I survived January 19, 2025," said Ashtrevivo.