“The worried mother told me that her 12-year-old daughter had harmed herself and injured her hands because of a self-harm challenge on TikTok with her friends,” Kumnova-Baci told AFP. he said.

He ordered school principals, teachers and psychologists to investigate.

At least 22 cases of self-harm were detected among girls at different schools in the southwestern city.

Kumnova-Bacı said that at first they thought the girls had only cut their hands. “However, after medical examinations, we found that some of the girls had numerous injuries all over their bodies.”

The rapid increase in self-harm cases among young girls of Gjakova has disturbed many people and left them searching for answers.

“This was a shock to us in terms of the school system, and I believe it created excitement throughout the community,” Kumnova-Baci said.

TikTok’s massive global success has been built in part on the success of its “challenges,” an interactive challenge that invites users to create videos featuring dances, jokes or games that sometimes go viral.

The mother of a girl who cut herself says nine-year-olds are harming themselves after watching one of the videos on TikTok.

“It’s a game on TikTok for girls between the ages of 9 and 17. They imitate the video posted there and act like it,” he said.

The mother, who AFP is not naming to protect her daughter’s identity, called for the practice to be banned.

“This app publishes everything, even the most dangerous content. I think the government should ban TikTok,” he said.

“This has become the biggest worry in my life,” he said, adding that he recorded his daughter’s injuries on his phone.

According to TikTok’s official policy, videos that encourage self-harm and suicide are strictly prohibited.

“We want TikTok to be a place where you can discuss emotionally complex topics in a supportive way without increasing the risk of harm. We do not allow the display, promotion or sharing of suicide or self-harm plans,” he said. their website.

Experts have warned for years that social media platforms could harm the mental health of their youngest users through addiction to apps, bullying, body image and self-esteem issues.

Last year, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for action to ensure social media platforms do not harm young people.

“We are in the midst of a national youth mental health crisis, and I worry that social media is a significant driver of that crisis—a crisis that we must address urgently,” Murthy said.

Sources close to the victims in Gjakova said many turned to self-harm to overcome temporary feelings of helplessness. Others wanted to test their ability to withstand pain.

“And what’s really bad is that the game starts with a few interruptions,” Kumnova-Baci said.

Locals told AFP the discovery sent a chill through the city of about 78,000 people near the Albanian border.

“It is very difficult for us to accept that our children are hurting themselves,” said Besfort Krasniqi, a 45-year-old business manager and father of three from Gjakova.

“This is not only a big problem, but also very disturbing,” added Qendresa Hoti, a 32-year-old hairdresser.

“I have young children and this incident did not directly threaten me, but as our children grow, our fear increases.”

Kumnova-Bacı said education officials are launching new initiatives to educate students about the potential harm caused by social media content.

Education expert and psychologist Mirevete Aziri said incidents of self-harm were likely linked to “children’s uncontrolled access to social networks, even when they are at school and in the family circle.”

Drin Domi from the local prosecutor’s office said that a police investigation has been launched into the incidents.

The Kosovo government banned government employees and agencies from using TikTok on their work phones and other official devices in June, citing “cyber threats.”

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