Albania to ban TikTok for a year, blaming it for promoting violence among children

Albania PM Edi Rama confirmed the TikTok ban after after meeting with parents' groups and teachers from across the country. (Reuters: Murad Sezer)

In short:

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.

A 14-year-old student was killed and another injured in a fight near a school in Tirana that had begun with a confrontation on social media.

What's next?

The ban, part of a broader plan to make schools safer, will come into effect early next year.

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. 

The ban will take effect early next year, Prime Minister Edi Rama said after conducting 1,300 meetings with parent 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," Mr Rama said.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The ban is part of a broader plan to make schools safer in Albania.

He said the government would start programs that would "serve the education of students and help parents follow their children's journey".

Albania's PM blamed social media, and TikTok in particular, for fuelling violence among youth in and outside school. (AP: Richard Vogel)

This 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 followed arguments between the two boys on social media. 

Videos had also emerged on TikTok of minors supporting the killing.

Mr Rama has blamed social media, and TikTok in particular, for fuelling violence among youth in and outside school.

"The problem today is not our children, the problem today is us, the problem today is our society," he said.

"The problem today is TikTok and all the others that are taking our children hostage."

Authorities have set up a series of protective measures at schools, starting with an increased police presence, training programs and closer cooperation with parents.

Mr Rama said Albania would follow how the company and other countries react to the one-year shutdown before deciding whether to end the ban.

Not everyone agreed with the decision to close TikTok.

How under-16 social media ban will work remains a mystery

Photo shows Teen girl with curly hair and tan skin looks down at her phone wearing a stripy jumper. There are social media icons next to her

The government's new laws banning children under 16 from having an account with some social media platforms won't take effect for at least 12 months. So what will happen before then?

"The dictatorial decision to close the social media platform TikTok … is a grave act against freedom of speech and democracy," said Ina Zhupa of the main opposition Democratic Party. 

"It is a pure electoral act and abuse of power to suppress freedoms."

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.

TikTok has also faced accusations of espionage in the United States, and is under investigation by the European Union.

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