Michael Mezzatesta, a climate educator from Los Angeles, California, has been using TikTok and Instagram for the past two years to raise awareness about climate marches and ways for people to get involved in combating climate change. In September 2023, he played a key role in promoting the climate march in New York, which saw a turnout far exceeding expectations. Mezzatesta credits TikTok for helping to draw in more than 50,000 participants to the march. However, his ability to organize through social media platforms like TikTok is now facing threats due to recent decisions from Washington and major social media companies like X, Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram), and ByteDance (owner of TikTok). The ban on TikTok signed by President Joe Biden, citing data privacy concerns, has put pressure on ByteDance to spin off TikTok for the US audience or face a potential ban. This has led to legal battles between TikTok and the US government, leaving activists like Mezzatesta uncertain about the future of organizing protests and demonstrations. The ban, if it goes into effect, could have immediate implications on how TikTok operates and moderates content. Despite its role as a platform for organizing, TikTok has faced accusations of manipulating public discourse on various social and political issues, raising concerns about transparency and freedom of speech. The ban on TikTok is part of a larger trend of social media platforms facing challenges in regulating content and combating misinformation. Instagram, owned by Meta, has also come under fire for its handling of political content and misinformation. Recent changes to Instagram’s platform have sparked backlash from users and activists concerned about censorship and access to information. The evolving landscape of social media and its impact on activism highlights the complex relationship between technology, free speech, and social change.
