I’m Leaving TikTok (And Honestly, You Might Want to Too)
Because it’s not just about the algorithm anymore — it’s about safety, censorship, and choosing peace.
I’ve been considering this for some time, but TikTok’s new U.S. Terms of Service made my decision clear.
I’m leaving.
Not dramatically. Not in protest. Just… intentionally.
The platform has changed since I first joined more than 2 years ago, where I grew a community of over 170,000 people — people who cared about making the world safe for everyone, and now it doesn’t feel safe or sustainable for someone like me, a Black woman who speaks honestly in a world that often doesn’t want to listen.
Before you roll your eyes or think this is just another “I’m logging off” post, hear me out. This is about more than TikTok. It’s about the systems behind it, where we’re headed, and why it matters how and where we show up online.
So what’s actually happening with TikTok?
In short, the U.S. government made TikTok separate from its parent company in China. Now, big U.S. companies like Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX control the American version of the app. Because of this, TikTok’s legal structure, terms of service, and power dynamics have all changed.
Officially, this is about “national security.” In reality, it’s about control; control over data, algorithms, and, honestly, speech.
When I say “control,” I’m not just talking about who owns the app. I mean, who gets visibility, who gets silenced, and who can speak the truth without being flagged, shadowbanned, or erased.
If you’re Black, bold, or honest online… You already know.
Censorship isn’t new. Black creators have always been flagged more harshly. Activists have watched their content disappear. Whole communities have been punished for telling stories that are “too political” when really, they’re just true.
TikTok was never perfect, but it used to feel open. There was space to experiment, connect, teach, learn, laugh, and tell the truth. Now, it feels more like a trap door, especially if your voice challenges the status quo.
With this new ownership model, I don’t feel confident that my work or my safety is protected. In fact, I feel the opposite.
What’s really at stake
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about dance videos or fun transitions. It’s about who shapes culture, who gets heard, and who gets erased.
When tech giants, wealthy investors, and political pressure start making the rules, you already know whose voices are silenced first.
Spoiler alert: it’s not the ones with power.
It’s the people using their voices to name harm, imagine better systems, and challenge the world to do better.
It’s Black folks. Queer folks. Disabled folks. Poor folks. Truth-tellers. Organizers. Artists.
Us.
What I’m choosing instead
I’m choosing peace. I’m choosing to be present. I’m choosing platforms and people that don’t see my truth as a threat or my creativity as just data.
Let’s be honest: I’m also choosing to reclaim my time. With shadowbans, trolls, and the constant fear of being shut down or silenced, TikTok started to feel draining and risky.
I don’t want to create from fear. I want to create from joy and clarity, with my community — IRL.
What about the people we’ve built there?
Listen, I get it. I’ve met some of the dopest people on TikTok. Some of y’all might even be reading this because of it. But I also believe that our communities are bigger than any one app.
We can bring that magic somewhere else. Somewhere slower, more intentional, and built on care instead of clout.
You don’t have to be everywhere to be impactful.
You don’t have to perform to be seen.
You also don’t have to stay on a platform that profits from your voice while quietly controlling it.
If you’ve been thinking about logging off...
You’re not alone. You’re not paranoid. You’re not “overreacting.”
You’re discerning. You’re paying attention. You’re protecting your energy in a time that demands it.
If you’ve been feeling uneasy, LEAVE.
The algorithm doesn’t love you. Your people do.
And they’ll find you wherever you are.
With care,
First Born Daughter
What you’ve expressed here were my reasons for leaving Twitter after being in that platform since 2009. Nothing but respect and look forward to seeing you put all the multi-media tools substack offers ✊🏽
Loved this read. Thank you for vocalizing what so many of us are feeling.