Albania to ban TikTok for a year as country's PM claims app inciting violence and bullying
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The Albanian government plans to block access to TikTok for a year after the killing of a 14-year-old boy led to concerns about social media's influence on children. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the proposed ban will start early next year as he particularly blamed the video-sharing app for fuelling violence and bullying, especially among youths.
The boy was stabbed to death last month, allegedly by a fellow pupil, with the incident reportedly taking place following an argument between the pair on social media. Chinese-owned TikTok says it has found no evidence that either of them had accounts on the platform.
And it has asked for "urgent clarity from the Albanian government" over the stabbing. The incident sparked a wider debate in the country about social media's influence on children. Children are believed to be the largest group of TikTok users in the country and after meeting parents and teachers, Mr Rama said: "For one year, we'll be completely shutting it down for everyone.
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"There will be no TikTok in Albania.". He added: "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.". The ban is part of a wider plan to make schools safer.
