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A Parent’s Ban on TikTok

04:24 PM | 14 Nov, 2020
A Parent’s Ban on TikTok

 AS the big tech companies in the US rejoice over a possible Biden administration with more immigrant-friendly policies, Chinese tech companies like TikTok are also relieved, expecting a turnaround in the prospects of their global expansion.

 The world watched as TikTok received a ban from the Trump administration and then was forced to sell. The app had achieved phenomena growth before a series of unfortunate events. After TikTok, one of the fastest-growing social media apps in the world filed a lawsuit against the US government, it revealed the number of its active US users for the first time: 100 million. India banned the app in June 2020 after a military clash at the India-China border. The US ban claimed to be based on concerns about national security, a term that is used too casually these days. However, the soon followed Pakistan ban of TikTok lifted soon after the app committed to moderating content "in accordance with societal norms and the laws," was about content censorship. 

 Many would agree that TikTok had been denied rights and due process amidst all the executive orders from various governments. But I want to discuss a different issue today. Besides being an intellectual of the 21st century, as a parent myself, I would like to vote for the ban if I could because I don’t want my teenage daughter spending five hours a day on an entertainment app, which is neither instructive nor capable of taking her anywhere in life.

 A big part of TikTok’s fan base are teenagers, and those aged 16 to 24 are said to make up for 41% of its global users (GlobalWebIndex). When a massive group of smart engineers and savvy marketers calculate meticulously and work day and night to win more users and increase the stickiness of the app, these young people do not stand a chance.

 I feel sad not only because my own child faces the lures of so many technologies that try to steal her attention and time. I also feel sorry for the tech sector in general in my country. Our entrepreneurs and innovators do not dream to change the world. They seem very focused; all they want are more downloads and more hours per user.

 During the COVID-19 crisis, we have witnessed how inadequate our science is and how our doctors and nurses sacrifice their lives to save the weak and old. At the same time, millions of our young people spend hours after hours hooked up on all types of social media and entertainment that simply kill time. Their time, in my opinion, is better spent on other more important things, things that can help build community, fend those in need, and bring back those left behind, things that help move our civilizations forward, things that can help us prevent the next crisis.

 Entrepreneurs are our role models in society, in China and elsewhere. We need truly visionary entrepreneurs, whose callings go beyond making a fortune by providing convenience and amusement, who are truly committed to making the world a truly better place. The social responsibility of businesses is not just about their good deeds and fundraisers. The most socially responsible entrepreneurs grow a business out of a simple, noble mission, so the business itself becomes their best contribution to civilization. 

 Nonetheless please do not mistake me. I have no prejudice for social media apps, delivery companies, or online retailers. But I wish they could be a different kind. Western brands like Apple, Starbucks, TED Talks, and Disney, seem to be built on some sort of idealistic brand promises. Their brand values guide everything they do, helping navigate through turmoils and expand into many countries around the world. 

 Whether it is a lack of visionary thinking or branding savviness, companies like TikTok have little substance and too much utilitarianism. This is a fatal flaw for the aspiring multinational entrepreneurs from less developed countries, and the recent events left a lot for others to think about. Like what people usually say on China’s social media these days, “Don’t walk too quickly…let your soul catch up.” Perhaps it is time to do a bit of soul searching before they grow the businesses too quickly–Is there a higher purpose for the brand and the businesses? Now more than ever, China’s entrepreneurs should learn from their western brand-savvy peers, and take the welfare of the human race into their hands. 

 Chunwei Song is a professor of mathematics at Peking University in Beijing, China. He works in combinatorial mathematics and intellectual history. Besides his many Chinese students, currently, he is supervising one PhD student from Pakistan, Farwa Asmat, who obtained her Master's degree from the University of Lahore and Bachelor's degree from the Lahore College for Women University.  Professor Song's e-mail address is csong@math.pku.edu.cn.

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Rupee remains stable against US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham and Riyal; check forex rates

Pakistani rupee remained stable against US dollar in the open bank market on Friday.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Friday, the US dollar was being quoted at 285.3 for buying and 288.15 for selling.

Euro moves down to 311 for buying and 314 for selling. British Pound rate stands at 358.5 for buying, and 361.5 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED stands at 78 whereas the Saudi Riyal rate stands at 76.20.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan – 1 December 2023

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 285.3 288.15
Euro EUR 311 314
UK Pound Sterling GBP 358.5 361.5
U.A.E Dirham AED 78 78.7
Saudi Riyal SAR 76.2 77
Australian Dollar AUD 187.2 189
Bahrain Dinar BHD 759.67 767.67
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.59 39.98
Danish Krone DKK 41.38 41.78
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.63 36.98
Indian Rupee INR 3.39 3.5
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 926.7 935.7
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.38 60.98
New Zealand Dollar NZD 173.44 175.44
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.25 26.55
Omani Riyal OMR 741.26 749.26
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 77.63 78.33
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 26.93 27.23
Swiss Franc CHF 325.9 328.4
Thai Bhat THB 8.23 8.38

Gold rates drop in Pakistan; Check today’s gold rates 1 December 2023

KARACHI – The gold price continues to climb up in the local market in line of upward trend in international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 1 December 2023

On Thursday, the single tola of 24 Karat gold was available at Rs217,400, and the price for 10-gram gold reached Rs186,390.

Meanwhile, the 22 Karat Gold price stands at Rs199,282, 21 karat rate for each tola is Rs190,225 and 18k gold rate hovers around Rs163,050.

In international market, the price of precious metal hovers around $2,045 per ounce.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Karachi PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Islamabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Peshawar PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Quetta PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Sialkot PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Attock PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Gujranwala PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Jehlum PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Multan PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Bahawalpur PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Gujrat PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Nawabshah PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Chakwal PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Hyderabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Nowshehra PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Sargodha PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Faisalabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Mirpur PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696

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