During a briefing with reporters after the government meeting, Minister of Education and Sports Ogerta Manastirliu reminded that the government has conducted a series of consultations with parents and they have been in favor of TikTok platform shut down or restriction,” said Manastirliu.

On the other hand, the minister continued, there has been set up an inter-institutional working group with the participation of the relevant institutions for the protection and safety of children and young people in online spaces.

“Taking into account all the facts and elements directly related to the safety of children, we have recommended shut down or restricting access to the TikTok platform for up to a 12-month period, a period that will allow us to take measures in coordination with TikTok representatives. We have begun negotiating with TikTok representatives regarding access age filters, parental control and necessary filters regarding all aspects of communication in the Albanian language. By setting these filters, we will also prevent the promotion of unwanted behaviors that come through communication on the TikTok platform”, said the minister.

Manastirliu noted that, “The Ministry of Education is tasked, together with the National Cyber ​​Security Agency and other regulatory entities and the National Information Society Agency, to establish contact and negotiate with representatives of the TikTok platform and other social networks to establish these access filters, which will minimize these risks”.

“The restriction period will be up to 12 months, a necessary period to establish all communication and to negotiate the elements and conditions that we have begun discussions with them. This is a decision that has the highest interest of children and young people and public safety in the digital environment as its primary focus and goal”, said Manastirliu. /k.s//r.e//a.f/p.s./