European country bans TikTok for one year after death of teenager

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A European country has defended its ban on TikTok, adding that the move was “not a rushed reaction to a single incident.” Albania’s prime minister Edi Rama said on Saturday the government will shut down TikTok for one year, accusing the popular video service of inciting violence and bullying, especially among children. “The ban on TikTok for one year in Albania is not a rushed reaction to a single incident, but a carefully considered decision made in consultation with parent communities in schools across the country,” said Rama. “We do not agree with that because that’s a deprivation for us.” open image in gallery Tourists near the remains of a cold war bunker on a beach on the island of Sazan, near the Albanian city of Vlore But Albanian parents have been increasingly concerned following reports of children taking knives and other objects to school to use in quarrels or cases of bullying promoted by stories they see on TikTok. The company said it had “found no evidence that the perpetrator or victim had TikTok accounts, and multiple reports have in fact confirmed videos leading up to this incident were being posted on another platform, not TikTok.” “To claim that the killing of the teenage boy has no connection to TikTok because the conflict didn’t originate on the platform demonstrates a failure to grasp both the seriousness of the threat TikTok poses to children and youth today and the rationale behind our decision to take responsibility for addressing this threat,” said Mr Rama.