Albania’s Prime Minister announced that the government will block TikTok access for one year following the death of a student last month, which raised concerns about social media influence on children.
Edi Rama announced the ban on Saturday.
TikTok has said that it wants urgent clarifications about the proposed ban from the Albanian Government.
The social media platform claimed it found no proof that the person who allegedly stabbed the 14-year-old boy or the victim had TikTok profiles.
Rama called TikTok “the thug in the neighborhood” during a meeting with teachers, parents, and psychologists in Tirana, Albania’s capital.
Rama stated, “We will close the school for an entire year and then we’ll start rolling out new programs to help students learn and parents track their children’s progress.”
The blocking of TikTok came less than a week after a 14-year-old student died and another was injured in a fight in the southern Tirana area that had originated from an online confrontation.
This killing has sparked debate among Albanian parents, educators, and psychologists about the effects of social media on youth.
“In China TikTok promotes the ability of students to take courses, to protect nature, and to maintain traditions. But on TikTok outside China, we only see scum, mud, and filth. Why do we require this? “, Rama said.
TikTok has been banned in India since June 2020. India was the largest market for this app before its ban. Also, it is blocked in Iran and Nepal.
TikTok also fights against a US Congress law that would ban the app on January 19, unless ByteDance-its Chinese parent company-sells it.
The US Supreme Court agreed to hear TikTok’s last-minute arguments as to why the app should not be sold or banned. A hearing is scheduled for 10th January, just days before Congress’ deadline of January 19th.
TikTok, ByteDance, and the US government have all denied any links between the two apps.
In several European countries, including France and Germany, there are restrictions on the use of social media by children.
In November, Australia passed one of the strictest social media policies in the world by banning children under 16 years old from using it.
This particular ban will require at least one year to be implemented.
UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle stated that a similar prohibition for under-16s was “on the table”, but he added that more evidence is needed first.