Please Don't Take My Chosen TikTok Family Away!

All this talk about a possible TikTok ban really has me in my feels.

Like many other people, I discovered the app in 2020 when there was very little we could do other socially distance day drink with neighbors, take long walks, and watch endless episodes of anything and everything on Netflix. After getting sick and tired of binging Netflix shows, TikTok won a good part of my day. Following many of the same creators from then to now, they sort of feel like my distant family members, and the ban would be breaking up my online family.

Just for fun, I have characterized some of the creators as my adopted family members. I look forward to their content and have honestly learned some cool things from many of them, so I thought I would share my "TikTok adopted family" with everyone.

I've written quite a few stories about Ophelia Nichols, otherwise known as Mama Tot, so this isn't news to any of my readers. And while I totally understand we are around the same age, I still think of her as the mother I never had. Her positivity shines through in every situation. She gives great advice, spreads positive vibes, is down-to-Earth and real, and really makes her followers feel like we know her personally and not just on the app. And I'm not going to lie, every time she says "I'm proud of you" in a video, I literally tear up.

What stands out the most to me is that even when Mama Tot deals with her own tough times or drama, she's still helping other people. There are too many people in this world who do the complete opposite of that and it's literally refreshing to be able to witness someone handle their toughest days with grace, positivity, and empathy for others. She has literally created a safe community for EVERYONE.

Barbara "Babs" Costello, or just Babs, is another example of the type of person I didn't have in my life growing up. She shares her wisdom, life hacks, recipes, and anything else that could help someone out and in a way that feel like home. She calls herself "everyone's grandmother" and she truly radiates that title.

I have honestly learned more from Babs about adulting as a whole than anyone else in my life. Her short videos on social media are informative, interesting, and inviting to any age. From sharing tips on how to host an amazing party to making the perfect cup of coffee to how to easily gut a pumpkin, she's got tips for days.

Talk about the most accepting person on the planet! That would be Mama Lulu! Her son Ollie films her regularly and the outcome is always hilarious. She's got jokes of all kinds! You can tell by watching the videos that she's just a fun-loving person who really enjoys being around her adult children and laughing with them.

What have I learned from her? That there are people out there who accept others for who they are and continue to love them no matter what. For many people, including myself, being in a family where you are accepted for who you are and for the choices you make is not reality. But Mama Lulu is that person who radiates acceptance. Her 16 million followers love her antics and that she shares her life openly and with a smile.

Brittany, mom to Lily, 4, and new baby Violet, is the sister I never had and always wanted. She's kind, caring, and is raising her daughter to be just the most amazing person on this planet with her sweet personality. Watching Lily do literally anything is the time out we all need in a hectic, and sometimes negative world.

Lily is the sweetest little girl who shows compassion for all creatures, even bugs, loves being a big sister to Violet, and really seems like the happiest child all the time. If I'm feeling down or stressed, just watching one of her encouraging videos changes that immediately. It's impossible to not smile while watching any of their TikTok videos.

While you may not know her just by me saying her name is Tanara, you do know her. "Everybody's so creative." Does that ring a bell? I'd bet you read that in her iconic voice.

Tanara is the family member we all need at a family BBQ or party. She says it like it is with a smile on her face and positivity in her voice even if that's not the true vibe. If her videos don't make you laugh, there's something wrong with your funny bone. She calls out some of the worst recipes and cooking videos and constantly reminds us why we can't eat everyone's cooking.

I'm not the best cook. I burn most things I cook, so her videos hit home for me and make me think I'm not so bad after all. In a strange roundabout way, she's helping my cooking confidence and getting me to think outside the box a bit. Anyone who's good for my mental health, has my vote!

When talking about family, Jasper the Doll cannot be left out. We all have that one loopy family member who really brings the fun to any situation. Jasper the Doll is like the crazy aunt at the family functions that speaks her truth, gets drunk, wears clothes that she knows will ruffle some feathers, and just doesn't care what anyone thinks.

She's the person who will sing at the top of her lungs off key without a care in the world. She lets her crazy show without apology. That is Jasper the Doll. If you're on "JasperTok," you know exactly what I mean.

The first time I scrolled into a Jasper video, I literally did a double take, like what did I just watch. Now, I cannot watch any Jasper videos without laughing and thinking, yup, this is the crazy family member I've been missing out on.

The moral of the story is, I sincerely hope that the threat of a TikTok ban doesn't become reality. I know I'm not the only person who enjoys scrolling before going to sleep at night to clear my head of all the adulting and real-life things going on. I know I'm not the only person who finds comfort in learning things in a fun way, following along with other people's lives, and getting to know creators while being entertained.

While politicians talk about all the bad that the app can bring, they fail to mention all the good that it brings. And the bad things they've been focused on are not TikTok problems in my opinion; they are people problems that can happen on any other social media platform. So here's hoping I get to keep my adopted family together on TikTok!