The government’s decision comes after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death by a colleague following a quarrel on social media.
Albania announced a year-long ban on TikTok after the killing of a teenager last month raised concerns about the impact of social media on children.
The ban on the popular video app will take effect early next year, Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Saturday after meeting with parent and teacher groups from across the country.
“For one year, we will close it completely for everyone. It will not be there Tik Tok “In Albania,” Rama said.
There was no immediate comment from TikTok.
The Albanian government’s decision comes after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death in November by a classmate after fights between the two boys began on social media. Albanian authorities held 1,300 meetings with teachers and parents following the stabbing.
Rama blamed TikTok in particular for fueling violence among young people in and out of school.
Video clips appeared on the app of 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 who are taking our children hostage,” Rama said.
The Prime Minister said Albania will see how the company and other countries react to the year-long closure before deciding whether to allow the company to resume operations.
The opposition rejected the government’s decision to ban the application.
“The dictatorial decision to close the social media platform TikTok… is a dangerous act against freedom of expression and democracy,” said Inna Guba, a lawmaker from the main opposition Democratic Party.
He added: “It is a purely electoral act and an abuse of power to suppress freedoms.”
Several European countries, including France, Germany and Belgium, have imposed restrictions on children’s social media use.
In one of the world’s toughest regulations, Australia agreed in November Complete ban on social media For children under 16 years of age.
TikTok has also faced espionage charges in the United States and is under investigation by the European Union over allegations that it was used to influence Romania’s presidential election in favor of a far-right candidate.
TikTok attracts young people in particular with its seemingly endless short videos, and has more than a billion active users worldwide.
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