About the Documentary
When the Scroll Stops dives into what a potential TikTok ban really means—not just in headlines, but in real life. The documentary follows a small business owner who built her brand on the app and now fears losing everything if it disappears. It also looks at the everyday users who’ve made TikTok part of their daily routine, their identity, even their creativity. At the same time, we zoom out to see what’s happening politically—from cybersecurity concerns to what the Trump administration is doing behind the scenes. It’s a story about more than just social media—it’s about connection, survival, and what happens when the scroll suddenly stops.
TikTok Timeline
September 2017: ByteDance introduces TikTok to international markets.
November 2017: ByteDance acquires Musical.ly, merging it with TikTok in August 2018, rapidly increasing its popularity among U.S. teens.
December 2019: The U.S. Army and Navy ban TikTok on government-issued devices due to security concerns.
August 2020: President Donald Trump signs an executive order directing ByteDance to divest from TikTok, citing national security threats. The order is later blocked by a federal judge.
June 2021: President Joe Biden revokes Trump’s executive orders but initiates a broader review of foreign-owned apps.
December 2022: Biden signs the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act,” banning the app on federal devices.
March 2023: The RESTRICT Act is introduced, aiming to grant the Secretary of Commerce authority to review and potentially ban foreign apps posing security risks.
March 13, 2024: The U.S. House passes the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” (PAFACA), requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban.
April 24, 2024: President Biden signs PAFACA into law, setting a deadline of January 19, 2025, for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations.
January 18, 2025: ByteDance fails to meet the divestment deadline; TikTok suspends services in the U.S.
anuary 19, 2025: President Donald Trump, on his first day back in office, issues an executive order granting a 75-day extension for ByteDance to find a U.S. buyer, restoring TikTok’s services.
April 4, 2025: Trump signs another executive order extending the deadline by an additional 75 days, moving it to June 19, 2025.
As of April 30, 2025: ByteDance is actively seeking U.S. buyers for TikTok. Potential buyers include major tech firms and investment groups. The outcome remains uncertain as the new deadline approaches.
Interviewees
Jessica Simon
Founder of Mississippi Candle Company
Adam Thal
Assistant Political Science Professor at Loyola Marymount University
Abby Gallagher
TikTok User and Student at Loyola Marymount University
Kim Ford
Senior Vice President of Government Relations at Fiserv
Amelia Prange
I’m graduating in May 2025 from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in journalism. I’m passionate about entertainment news, broadcasting, and public relations. Originally from Chicago, moving to Los Angeles has been one of the most inspiring experiences of my life. Being in a city full of creativity and ambition has pushed me to grow, and I’ve truly found my place here.
The idea for When the Scroll Stops came from a mix of curiosity, timing, and personal connection. The potential TikTok ban is something that’s unfolding right now, and researching it as it was developing made the story even more fascinating. As someone who grew up alongside social media and watched TikTok evolve into what it is today, I understand the platform’s impact—especially on creators who rely on it for their livelihood. I also noticed that while most people my age are worried about the app disappearing, few are asking why—so digging into the political negotiations and cybersecurity issues really opened my eyes. This documentary isn’t just a way to help others understand what’s happening; it’s been a validating experience for me as a reporter, showing me the kind of storyteller I want to be.
Documentary By Amelia Prange 