# Plain Language Summary: Terminate TikTok on Campus Act of 2023

This bill would cut off federal funding to colleges and universities unless they ban TikTok from all school-owned devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones. Schools would have 90 days after the law passes to create and enforce policies that prohibit TikTok use on any equipment the institution owns or provides to students and staff. They'd also have to remove the app from devices that already have it installed.

The ban applies broadly to any internet-connected device owned by the school, including computers, tablets, smartwatches, and streaming devices. However, there's an exception for legitimate research projects. If professors or researchers are studying TikTok for reasons related to national security, law enforcement, telecommunications, or cybersecurity, they could still use the app under faculty supervision for that specific research.

The real-world impact would be significant for colleges and universities. Since most schools depend heavily on federal funding for grants, student loans, and research money, they'd face enormous pressure to comply. This means students couldn't use TikTok on school wifi networks or school-issued devices, though they could still use it on personal devices on their own time. Schools would need to invest in monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance, and they'd have to decide how strictly to enforce the policy. The bill essentially uses federal funding as leverage to force schools to take action against the app, rather than directly banning TikTok itself.

Terminate TikTok on Campus Act of 2023

Babin, Brian

Terminate TikTok on Campus Act of 2023 This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) from receiving federal funds unless the IHE takes certain actions to ban the use of the social media video application TikTok. Specifically, the IHE must develop and implement standards and guidelines (1) prohibiting the use of TikTok on electronic devices owned or issued by the IHE, and (2) requiring the removal of TikTok from these devices. The bill includes an exception for research that (1) is conducted, supervised, or authorized by an IHE's faculty; and (2) pertains to national security, law enforcement, telecommunications, or cybersecurity.