TikTok’s Last Stand

Kent Nishimura/New York Times/Redux

Twelve days from now, TikTok could be out of business in the United States. Middle school teachers, your days of enduring students who randomly blurt out “Skibbity!” and “Low taper fade!” might soon be over.

Of course, TikTok is about far more than nerve-grating adolescent catchphrases. It has become the most popular social media site in the United States, with approximately 170 million users – half the country’s population. And while the site...