European country issues yearlong TikTok ban over youth violence concerns
The Albanian Cabinet made a significant decision on Thursday to temporarily shut down TikTok for a period of 12 months. This move comes as a response to the platform being accused of inciting violence and bullying, particularly among children. Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu stated that officials are currently in talks with TikTok in order to implement necessary filters such as parental control, age verification, and the incorporation of the Albanian language within the application.
The government’s decision was influenced by a tragic incident that occurred last year, where a teenager was fatally stabbed by another teenager after a dispute that originated on TikTok. Following this event, authorities held 1,300 meetings with approximately 65,000 parents who expressed their support for either shutting down or restricting the TikTok platform.
Despite the government’s action, TikTok has not yet responded to the decision. Previously, when Prime Minister Edi Rama announced plans to close down the social media platform, TikTok requested urgent clarification from the Albanian government regarding the incident involving the stabbed teenager. However, Rama recently mentioned that they are engaged in a positive dialogue with the company, and TikTok is expected to visit Albania soon to propose additional security measures for children.
Albanian children make up a significant portion of TikTok users in the country, raising concerns among parents about the influence of social media content on their children’s behavior. Reports have emerged of children being inspired by online content to bring knives to school or engage in bullying activities. In response, authorities have increased police presence at schools and introduced training programs for teachers, students, and parents to address these issues.
The decision to shut down TikTok has not been without controversy, as the opposition plans to hold a protest against the move on March 15. They argue that the ban is an infringement on free expression and independent thinking. TikTok, a platform operated by Chinese tech company ByteDance, has faced scrutiny in various countries and was recently offline in the U.S. temporarily to comply with regulations.
In the United Kingdom, the Information Commissioner’s Office is investigating how TikTok utilizes personal information from 13 to 17-year-olds to tailor content recommendations. There are growing concerns about how social media platforms use data generated by children’s online activities to shape recommendation algorithms, potentially exposing young people to inappropriate or harmful content.
Overall, the decision to shut down TikTok in Albania reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding children and addressing the negative impact of social media platforms on society. The dialogue between officials and TikTok signals a potential collaboration to enhance the platform’s security measures and ensure a safer online environment for users.
