Albanian authorities announced a one-year ban on the social network TikTok on Monday over the murder of a teenager last month, raising concerns about the influence of social media on children, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
The ban, which is part of a broader school safety plan, will take effect early next year, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said after a meeting with parent and teacher organizations from across the country.
„For one year, we will completely stop (TikTok) for everyone. "There will be no TikTok in Albania," Rama said.
TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Albanian government's decision, made after normal business hours, Reuters reported.
Several European countries, including France, Germany and Belgium, have imposed restrictions on children's use of social media. Some of the strictest restrictions were imposed in November in Australia, which passed a complete ban on social media for children under 16.
Rama accused social media, and TikTok in particular, of encouraging violence among young people in and outside schools.
His government's decision was made in connection with the death of a 14-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in November by a classmate. According to local media reports, the murder occurred after an argument between the two boys on social media.
Videos also appeared on TikTok in which minors expressed approval of the murder.
“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 who are taking our children hostage,“ said the Albanian prime minister.