Albania bans TikTok for one year amid youth safety concerns

The Albanian government has announced a 12-month ban on TikTok following concerns that the platform incites violence among youth, particularly after a fatal stabbing incident linked to social media disputes. Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu highlighted that consultations with over 65,000 parents indicated strong support for the ban as a measure to protect children. Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized the need for urgent action to shield young people from harmful content, stating that TikTok would be involved in discussions about enhancing child safety measures. However, the decision has stirred controversy, with opposition figures accusing the government of censorship and stifling freedom of speech. TikTok has denied any connection to the violent incident, noting that neither the victim nor the perpetrator had accounts on its platform. The effectiveness of the ban remains uncertain, as past attempts in other countries to restrict access to social media have faced challenges.