Media Minister Jacqueline Galant (Mouvement Réformateur) does not believe that banning TikTok in Wallonia-Brussels Federation, FWB, is a feasible way to protect young people from potentially harmful challenges on the platform.
“Banning this network would be a radical and extremely complex decision to implement, and it falls under the federal government’s jurisdiction,” Galant said on Tuesday during a parliamentary committee session, in response to a question from Socialist parliamentarian Sabine Roberty.
The idea of banning TikTok was suggested two weeks ago during a plenary session of the FWB parliament by Health Minister Yves Coppieters (Les Engagés).
Coppieters suggested the measure following the spread on TikTok of the 'Paracetamol Challenge,' a programme that encourages young people to take large quantities of the painkiller to stay in hospital for as long as possible.
“We could consider banning such platforms that endanger the health of our young people,” the centrist minister commented. “It’s certainly worth considering.”
Rather than banning TikTok, Galant believes it would be “simpler” to educate young people, parents, and teachers about the dangers of social media.
This could be achieved through partnerships with platforms, training sessions, or awareness campaigns, she suggested.
