Albania has announced a ban on TikTok for one year after the killing of a teenager last month raised concerns over the influence of social media on children.
The ban on the popular video app will come into effect early next year, Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Saturday after meeting 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,” Rama said.
The Albanian government’s decision comes after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death in November by a classmate after arguments between the two boys began on social media. Albanian authorities held 1,300 meetings with teachers and parents following the stabbing.
Rama has blamed TikTok in particular for fuelling violence among youth in and outside school.
Videos had emerged on the app of minors supporting the killing.
