TYLER, Texas — Social media has become a key part of daily life, serving as a hub for entertainment, news and even income for content creators.
With over a billion users globally, TikTok stands at the forefront of this digital revolution. However, the platform experienced a surprising 14-hour shutdown recently, leaving creators and users in a state of shock. For many creators who rely on TikTok for their livelihood, this temporary ban raises critical concerns about the platform’s future and their financial stability.
One of these creators, Charles Brockman III, better known as TheOnlyCB3 on TikTok, has amassed over 8 million followers through his comedic celebrity impressions.
“I definitely was in a frenzy. I’ve been on TikTok for over five years, and when I heard about it shutting down… I got on live to try to push all my followers to my other platforms.” Brockman said.
The abrupt shutdown not only caused a wave of uncertainty but also disrupted Brockman’s earnings. Known for generating over $10,000 a month through his content, merchandise and personalized fan videos.
“It definitely will hurt me financially if it goes away,” Brockman said.
For Brockman and many other creators, TikTok isn’t just a hobby, it’s a livelihood built over years of effort.
“Everyone was absolutely freaking out. Some people could still see the app working and some couldn’t. Then, all of a sudden, it just went dark.” Brockman said.
Even tools like CapCut, a popular editing app owned by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, became inaccessible, further complicating content production.
Despite the uncertainty, Brockman remains optimistic and proactive. He urges creators to diversify their online presence across platforms like Instagram and YouTube to safeguard their audience and income streams.
“A lot of people might not understand why we take this so seriously, but knowing we can pour out into the world and people watch us for comfort or advice… it’s important to keep posting and sharing, no matter where.”
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