Skopje, 21 January 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski said at a press conference Tuesday he opposes banning applications like TikTok but noted the option remains available to the authorities.

Andonovski was quizzed about possible restrictions on the app, following the spread of viral challenges that left several children needing medical attention. He said guidelines have been drafted regarding the issue and shared with the pedagogical services at the Ministry of Education and Science.

“This guideline will be focused on all teachers in all schools, primary and secondary, to talk to the children, the students, about the challenge that is spreading on social media, since these tools have unlimited opportunities. Unfortunately, none of us was ever taught how to use them properly. Now we are starting to do so with this guideline, and we will publish it on our website. It includes a code that leads to useful websites or tools, which parents can use to limit access for their children,” the Minister said.

An additional step, according to the Minister, is the establishment of a center for a safer internet that would provide resources and aid to children. Andonovski said he expects the center to be established by the end of the year, stressing that work is underway on a feasibility study.

“The third option at our disposal is a total ban on these applications. I said I am against the disruption of net neutrality and taking a side in regard to the banning of applications. Because if you ban one application, it is very likely that children will start using something else, and the country can’t go around constantly banning apps and violating the democratic principles of society. But if we notice that these measures aren’t enough, of course we can take such measures with certain amendments to the Law on Electronic Communications,” Andonovski said.

Photo: MIA Archive