Oklahoma TikTok Creator Reacts To Potential App Ban

The looming ban is causing concern among TikTok's American content creators who make money from posting on the app.

For creators like Emily Phillips, it's even their full-time job.

Philips makes her income by posting about local food, events, and other OKC-related content on social media.

“I've always been a creative person, like my whole life,” Phillips said.

She never dreamed she would amass almost a hundred thousand followers on TikTok or be able to call content creation her full-time job.

“I just watched TikTok after TikTok and I was like, I don't see any like local Oklahomans doing this. So, like, let me try, and it like obviously launched my whole career,” Phillips said.

She says content creators have to be flexible due to constant changes in technology and audience interests, but she never saw a ban on TikTok coming.

“I'm losing like my biggest source of income for what feels like no reason,” Phillips said.

On Jan. 19, 2025, a possible U.S. ban on TikTok could affect millions of Americans who use the app every day.

Click here for a timeline of events leading up to the impending TikTok ban.

Phillips says many will lose a source of entertainment, but content creators stand to lose the most.

“There are creators that their whole life is TikTok going live or monetizing or whatever. I also think it's devastating for local businesses who are using TikTok to make the majority of their income,” Phillips said.

Phillips says she plans to continue her career as a creator even if TikTok is banned by turning to other platforms, like Instagram, to continue sharing her content.