TikTok is under fire in Afghanistan, with the Taliban wanting the popular social media platform banned

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has ordered that video-sharing social media platform TikTok be banned within the country, stating that it is leading young Afghan’s “astray.”

Taliban spokesman Inamullah Samangani says that the latest ban was necessary to “prevent the younger generation from being misled”.

In the latest announcement by the militant group, the Taliban has also insisted that it would ban television channels from airing what the group has deemed as “immoral material”.

The latest bans follow recent ones made on music, movies and television programmes

The Taliban promised a softer approach to government when it took power last year, but has increasingly suppressed the rights and freedoms especially for women.

The Taliban, who is now recognised as the government of Afghanistan, was known for their severe version of Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in government between 1996 and 2001.

It is the first time that the group has banned a social media app since they came to power last August.