The debate over banning TikTok in the United States has been poorly articulated by policymakers, leaving many Americans unconvinced that the popular app poses a serious threat. Arguments centered around “data privacy” have failed to resonate with a public desensitized to surveillance and breaches, especially in an age dominated by tech giants. What’s missing from the discourse is a broader understanding of TikTok’s role as a weapon in China’s strategy of Unrestricted Warfare.
Far from being just a harmless app for sharing dance videos and memes, TikTok is a key instrument in China’s campaign to undermine U.S. power, disrupt societal cohesion, and advance its global ambitions. By failing to recognize the app’s role in this strategy, Americans are enabling China’s long-term goals: solidifying its position as the “Middle Kingdom,” suppressing democratic values, and exporting a model that prioritizes state control over human rights.
What Is Unrestricted Warfare?
The term “Unrestricted Warfare” originates from a 1999 Chinese military doctrine articulated by two senior People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officers, Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui. The doctrine redefines warfare to encompass all domains—economic, cultural, technological, and psychological—not just the battlefield. The goal is to exploit vulnerabilities in an adversary’s society without triggering a traditional military response.
TikTok fits squarely within this framework. While it may not look like a conventional weapon, its impact on the social, psychological, and societal stability of the United States aligns perfectly with the principles of Unrestricted Warfare.
TikTok as a Weapon of Social Manipulation
TikTok’s ability to manipulate social narratives is its most potent weapon. The app’s algorithm, controlled by Beijing-based ByteDance, is designed to maximize engagement—but its true power lies in its ability to shape perceptions. Through subtle algorithmic nudges, TikTok can amplify certain content while suppressing others, influencing how millions of Americans think, feel, and act.
For example:
- Political Polarization: TikTok’s algorithm can push divisive content, exacerbating cultural and political rifts in an already polarized society. This aligns with China’s goal of weakening the United States from within by fostering distrust and discord.
- Cultural Erosion: By promoting trends that undermine traditional values or elevate superficiality over critical thought, TikTok contributes to a cultural degradation that leaves a society less cohesive and less resilient.
- Information Warfare: During key events like elections, TikTok could suppress voter mobilization efforts or amplify misinformation, subtly swaying outcomes without overt interference.
These tactics echo Russia’s use of social media to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election, but TikTok’s reach and engagement surpass anything achieved by Facebook or Twitter.
Psychological Impacts: A Nation Distracted
TikTok’s design taps into the human brain’s reward system, fostering addictive behaviors and reducing attention spans. By promoting endless scrolling and dopamine-driven engagement, TikTok is creating a generation that is less focused, more anxious, and increasingly disconnected from reality.
From the perspective of Unrestricted Warfare, this serves two purposes:
- Weakened Mental Resilience: A distracted, overstimulated population is less likely to critically analyze information, engage in civic duties, or resist authoritarian narratives.
- Youth Exploitation: By targeting young users, TikTok undermines the intellectual and emotional development of future leaders, leaving them more vulnerable to manipulation and less prepared to tackle complex societal challenges.
China’s leadership understands that the long game of dominance is won not just by weakening an opponent’s military or economy, but by eroding the very foundations of its society. TikTok, by design, achieves this erosion one swipe at a time.
Societal Impacts: Advancing the Middle Kingdom Ideology
China’s ultimate goal is to establish itself as the dominant global power, a vision often referred to as the “Middle Kingdom” ideology. This worldview positions China as the center of global influence, with all other nations subservient to its authority. TikTok plays a critical role in this strategy by normalizing China’s values and diminishing those of liberal democracies.
- Exporting Censorship: TikTok has been accused of censoring content critical of the Chinese government, including topics like the Uyghur genocide, the Tiananmen Square massacre, and pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong. By controlling narratives on its platform, China exports its authoritarian model of censorship to millions worldwide.
- Normalizing Surveillance: TikTok’s data collection practices—harvesting everything from location data to browsing habits—are a direct extension of China’s state surveillance apparatus. The app acclimates users to a world where personal privacy is compromised, aligning with China’s broader efforts to undermine the concept of individual rights.
- Cultural Power Projection: By promoting Chinese content and influencers while subtly suppressing dissenting voices, TikTok advances China’s soft power agenda, positioning itself as a cultural and technological leader.
For China, TikTok is more than an app—it is a tool for redefining global norms in ways that benefit Beijing while eroding the ideals of democracy, free expression, and human rights.
Why the U.S. Public Turns a Blind Eye
Despite these concerns, many Americans dismiss the idea of banning TikTok. The prevailing argument is simple: “I don’t care if China is stealing my data.” This attitude reflects a misunderstanding of the threat. TikTok’s danger isn’t limited to personal privacy violations; it lies in its ability to manipulate societal behavior and advance China’s geopolitical goals.
This apathy plays directly into Beijing’s hands. By focusing the conversation on individual data privacy rather than the app’s broader role in Unrestricted Warfare, China has successfully deflected attention from the real threat. Each day TikTok remains operational in the United States is another day that China gains ground in its effort to weaken American society and advance its authoritarian agenda.
The Need for Leadership: Why the TikTok Ban Must Stand
As the January 19 ban on TikTok approaches, the stakes for national security and societal resilience have never been higher. The Supreme Court and the incoming Trump administration have a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to ensure that the ban is upheld. Allowing TikTok to continue operating in the United States would not only undermine efforts to counter China’s Unrestricted Warfare strategy but also signal a failure to address a clear and present threat to American sovereignty, security, and stability.
Upholding the ban would demonstrate that the United States understands the broader implications of TikTok beyond data privacy. This is not merely about who owns a social media platform—it is about defending the nation against a foreign adversary’s psychological, societal, and cultural manipulation. Reversing the ban would hand China a victory in its long-term effort to weaken the U.S., validate its authoritarian tactics, and normalize its model of surveillance and control.
The Supreme Court and the incoming administration must act decisively, not just to address the immediate threat posed by TikTok, but to send a clear message to Beijing: the United States will not tolerate tools of foreign influence that erode democratic values and jeopardize national security. Upholding the ban is not just a matter of policy; it is a matter of principle, ensuring that America remains resilient in the face of a relentless and unconventional adversary.
