Following growing concerns over the death of a schoolboy, the Albania Government has planned to ban TikTok for one year in the country.
The ban which will start from January 2025 is coming on the heels of concerns over social media’s impact on youth.
The ban was announced by the Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama. He disclosed that the Government plans to block access to TikTok for one year, following the killing of a 14-year-old schoolboy in Tirana last month.
Making the disclosure on Saturday, Rama stated the ban would take effect in January. And that it is aimed at addressing growing concerns over social media’s impact on children.
However, responding to the announcement, TikTok told the BBC it is seeking urgent clarifications from the Albanian Government.
The platform also noted it found no evidence that either the alleged attacker or the victim had TikTok accounts.
The fatal incident, which involved a fight near a school in southern Tirana, reportedly stemmed from a confrontation on social media. The tragedy has sparked nationwide debates among parents, educators, and psychologists about the role of social media in influencing youth behavior.
Rama criticized TikTok as “the thug of the neighborhood,” asserting the platform promotes harmful content outside of China.
“In China, TikTok highlights education, environmental protection, and cultural traditions. But elsewhere, it’s filled with scum and mud. Why do we need this?” the Prime Minister said during a meeting with teachers and parents in Tirana.
Rama, therefore, outlined plans to introduce educational programs during the ban to help parents monitor their children’s online activities.
Recall that TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced increasing scrutiny worldwide. India banned the app in 2020, citing security concerns. While countries like Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Somalia have also blocked access.
In the United States, a congressional law threatens to ban TikTok from January 19 unless ByteDance sells the app. The US Government alleges ties between TikTok and the Chinese state, which both the company and ByteDance deny. The US Supreme Court is set to hear TikTok’s appeal just days before the deadline.
Also European nations, including France, Germany, and Belgium, have implemented restrictions on social media use for children.
Australia recently enacted the world’s strictest measures, barring children under 16 from using social media—a ban expected to take a year to implement. Meanwhile, UK officials are considering similar restrictions, pending further evidence.
source: Arise News
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