Albania announced a one-year nationwide ban on TikTok, the popular short-video app owned by China's ByteDance, on December 21, citing concerns over the app's influence on children following the fatal stabbing of a teenager last month. 

The ban will take effect early next year, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama confirmed after consultations with parents and educators. 

The ban on TikTok is also a part of broader efforts to enhance school safety in Albania. 

The Albanian government's decision comes after the death of a 14-year-old schoolboy who was fatally stabbed in November by a fellow student. Local media reported that the incident was preceded by disputes on social media, and TikTok videos surfaced showing minors expressing support for the violence.

Prime Minister Rama criticised social media platforms for contributing to youth violence both within and outside school settings. "The problem today is not our children; the problem today is us, our society, and TikTok, along with all the others that are taking our children hostage," he said.

In response to the ban, TikTok said it was seeking "urgent clarity" from Albanian authorities.

The year-long ban on TikTok in Albania follows similar actions in several European countries, including France, Germany, and Belgium, which have introduced restrictions on social media use for children. In November, Australia implemented one of the world's strictest regulations, banning social media for users under the age of 16. In the same month, Canada ordered TikTok to shut down its Canadian business, citing national security risks.

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