Albania declares one-year TikTok ban over stabbing

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, has announced a significant decision to ban TikTok for one year. This announcement comes in the wake of a tragic incident where a schoolboy was killed last month, raising serious concerns about the impact of social media on children. During a press conference held on Saturday, Rama stated that the ban would take effect in January. TikTok, a widely used social media platform, has responded by seeking urgent clarification from the Albanian government regarding the proposed ban. The company informed the BBC that they found no evidence linking either the victim or the alleged attacker to TikTok accounts. In a meeting held in Tirana, the capital city of Albania, Rama met with teachers, parents, and psychologists to discuss the issue. He referred to TikTok as 'the thug of the neighborhood,' expressing his disapproval of the platform's content. Rama emphasized, 'We are going to close it for a year and we are going to start rolling out programs that will serve the education of students and help parents follow their children's journey. ' He criticized the content available on TikTok, labeling it as 'scum and mud,' indicating that he believes it is harmful to young people. The decision to block TikTok follows the unfortunate event where a 14-year-old student was killed and another was injured in a fight near a school in southern Tirana. This altercation was reportedly rooted in a conflict that began on social media. The incident has sparked a broader debate in Albania among parents, educators, and mental health professionals about the influence of social networks on youth. Rama pointed out that in China, TikTok promotes educational content and environmental awareness, but outside of China, it seems to focus on negative and inappropriate material. He questioned, 'Why do we need this? ' TikTok is not the only country to impose restrictions on the app; it has already been banned in India, which was one of its largest markets before the ban in June 2020. Additionally, TikTok is blocked in countries such as Iran, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Somalia. In the United States, there is a pending law that could ban TikTok unless it is sold by its parent company, ByteDance, which is based in China. TikTok is currently contesting this law, with a hearing scheduled for January 10, just days before the law could take effect. The US government has raised concerns about TikTok's ties to the Chinese government, which both TikTok and ByteDance have denied. Several European nations, including France, Germany, and Belgium, have also implemented restrictions on social media usage for children. In November, a vote was held to prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media, although this ban will take at least a year to be enforced. The UK Technology Secretary has indicated that regulations for under-16s are being considered, but he has requested more evidence before proceeding.