Albania bans TikTok for a year after fatal stabbing of teenager last month

Albania has announced a one-year ban on TikTok following the killing of a teenager last month that raised fears over the influence of social media on children.

Edi Rama, the prime minister, confirmed the ban, part of a broader plan to make schools safer, after meeting with parents’ groups and teachers from across the country.

“For one year, we’ll be completely shutting it down for everyone. There will be no TikTok in Albania,” Rama said.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours.

Several European countries including France, Germany and Belgium have enforced restrictions on social media use for children. In one of the world’s toughest regulations targeting big tech, Australia approved in November a complete social media ban for children under 16.

Rama has blamed social media, and TikTok in particular, for fuelling violence among youths in and outside school. His government’s decision comes after a 14-year-old schoolboy was stabbed to death in November by a fellow pupil.

Local media had reported that the incident came after arguments between the two boys on social media. Videos had also emerged on TikTok of young people supporting the killing.

“The problem today is not our children, the problem today is us, the problem today is our society, the problem today is TikTok and all the others that are taking our children hostage,” Rama said.

The ban is expected to come into effect early next year.

More to follow …