Albania’s government announced a one-year ban on TikTok on Saturday, citing concerns over the app’s impact on children after a teenager’s killing last month.
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the TikTok ban, part of a broader initiative to improve school safety, will take effect early next year.
“For one year, we’ll be completely shutting it down for everyone. There will be no TikTok in Albania,” Rama said.
TikTok has not yet responded to the request for comment regarding Albania’s TikTok ban.
Several European countries, including France, Germany, and Belgium, have introduced restrictions on social media use for children.
Australia also passed one of the toughest regulations, banning social media for children under 16.
Rama has pointed to social media, particularly TikTok, as a contributor to increasing youth violence both in and outside of schools.
The Albanian government’s decision follows the tragic stabbing of a 14-year-old schoolboy in November, allegedly after an argument between the victim and the perpetrator on social media.
Local media reported that the incident escalated online, and disturbing TikTok videos surfaced showing minors 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.
