Irish Examiner view: This may be a social media watershed

Banning TikTok is an intriguing prospect on several levels. There is a growing awareness of the damage done by smartphone use, particularly in spreading anxiety and isolation among younger users — TikTok’s specific target audience. Picture: Damian Dovarganes/AP

Interesting developments in the US Congress, which voted this week to order TikTok’s Chinese owner to divest itself of the company’s US assets or to face a ban.

Banning TikTok is an intriguing prospect on several levels. There is a growing awareness of the damage done by smartphone use, particularly in spreading anxiety and isolation among younger users — TikTok’s specific target audience. A potential ban could be seen as an effort to address that damage, however belatedly.