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University of Kentucky prepares to change social media strategies as TikTok ban deadline looms

FILE - The icon for the video sharing TikTok app is seen on a smartphone, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Marple Township, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Matt Slocum/AP
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AP
FILE - The icon for the video sharing TikTok app is seen on a smartphone, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Marple Township, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

The ban is set to go into effect Sunday. Colleges like UK are changing how and where they post in order to reach current and prospective students.

Many departments and programs within the university use TikTok to create content. UK Associate Professor of Multimedia Kakie Urch said the ban has led to more conversations with and questions from undergraduates about how they get their news and what they will do should the app be banned

"It's a great opportunity for us to turn attention to important pieces of digital infrastructure that are part of our business and social lives every moment," said Urch.

According to a statement from UKPR, the university is transitioning to alternate shortform video platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube shorts.

UKPR’s Digital Director Blair Conner said both platforms are very similar to TikTok but bring with them conditions that will require changes in strategy.

"We do have a more general audience on Instagram and Youtube that not only includes prospective and current students, but also alumni, families, and parents," Conner said. "So, our engagement is a little bit different."

Friday morning, the US Supreme court rejected the claim that a TikTok ban violates the company’s First Amendment rights. Though the law was signed by President Biden in 2024, he has said he will not enforce the ban, leaving the final decision to President Elect Trump.