Albania bans TikTok for a year over violence and bullying among children

Albania has decided to shut down TikTok for 12 months, citing concerns over violence and bullying among children, the CNN reported. Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu said the government is in talks with TikTok to implement stronger safety measures, including parental controls and age verification.

The move follows a fatal stabbing last November, which authorities linked to a quarrel that began on TikTok. However, the company denied any connection, stating there was no evidence that the individuals involved had TikTok accounts. Prime Minister Edi Rama said discussions with TikTok are ongoing, and the platform may visit Albania soon to propose child safety improvements.

Meanwhile, the opposition has condemned the ban as an attack on free expression and has planned a protest for March 15. TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has faced scrutiny in multiple countries over its impact on children and data privacy.