Albania BANS TikTok after schoolboy was knifed to death following online feud: Prime minister labels app 'the thug of the neighbourhood' as he announces European first
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Albania will ban TikTok after a teenager was stabbed to death at the end of the school day following a social media feud. Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the government will shut down TikTok for 12 months from January as he accused the social media platform of inciting violence and bullying, especially among children.
![[The major crackdown, the first of its kind in Europe, was prompted by the death of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed by another pupil in November. Pictured: A TikTok logo on the Albanian flag]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/01/93413793-14220179-image-a-41_1734917664220.jpg)
'For one year, we'll be completely shutting it down for everyone. There will be no TikTok in Albania,' he said on Saturday after meeting parents' groups and teachers. The major crackdown, the first of its kind in Europe, was prompted by the death of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed by another pupil in November.
![[TikTok is banned in several countries, including India, Iran, Nepal, Afghanistan and Somalia. (File image)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/01/93414177-14220179-image-a-42_1734917809252.jpg)
Authorities have held 1,300 meetings with teachers and parents since the stabbing which happened after a quarrel that started on social media apps. The schoolboy was stabbed in the heart and died an hour later in hospital, according to media reports. The fight was filmed and celebrated online by some TikTok users.
It has not been established yet whether the argument started on TikTok. But Mr Rama said the app is to blame, describing it as 'the thug of the neighbourhood'. 'The problem today is not our children, the problem today is us, the problem today is our society, the problem today is TokTok and all the others that are taking our children hostage,' Mr Rama said.
Prime Minister Edi Rama (pictured) has announced that the government will shut down TikTok for 12 months from January. The major crackdown, the first of its kind in Europe, was prompted by the death of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed by another pupil in November. Pictured: A TikTok logo on the Albanian flag.
