Imagine waking up one day and finding out that the platform you’ve spent years building your career on is just gone. Poof! That’s what’s at stake for millions of TikTok creators and small businesses as the Supreme Court heard emergency oral arguments in the case against the rabidly popular app.

TikTok isn’t just some time-wasting social media app. It’s a cultural force, a creative outlet and, for many, a career. If the court sides against TikTok, we all need to realize that it’s not just the app disappearing — it’s an entire ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation that’s being wiped out.

TikTok has served as a launchpad for small businesses, independent creators and everyday entrepreneurs. These influencers earn their living through TikTok. They’re building brands, marketing products and connecting directly with their audiences in ways we’ve never seen before. If TikTok disappears, so does this entire tranche of startup culture.

Think about it: how many small businesses have gone viral and found success because of one well-placed TikTok? How many creators have turned their passions into full-time careers? For many marginalized groups, TikTok has leveled the playing field, offering opportunities that traditional industries often keep out of reach. Losing TikTok would hit these communities hardest, and the ripple effects would be devastating.

Of course, TikTok isn’t just about money — it’s about connection.........

© The Hill