School children play hide and seek at school near the town of Gjakova. — Photo: ARMEND NIMANI/AFP
A quiet corner of Kosovo has been turned upside down after parents and teachers uncovered a disturbing string of child self-harm cases they say is linked to a TikTok challenge.
The first signs that something was badly wrong in Gjakova came with a call from a panicked parent recently, according to the area's chief education officer Eranda Kumnova-Baci.
"The worried mother told me that her 12-year-old daughter, together with her friends, had engaged in self-harm, injuring their hands prompted by a self-harming challenge on TikTok," Kumnova-Baci said.
She ordered school principals, teachers and psychologists to investigate.
They found at least 22 cases of self-harm among girls from different schools in the southwestern city.
Kumnova-Baci said at first they thought the girls had only cut their hands. "But after medical examinations, we found that some of the girls had countless injuries on all parts of their bodies."
The rash of self-harm cases among Gjakova's young girls has left many disturbed and searching for answers.
"It was a shock for us in the school system, and I believe it caused a stir in the entire community," said Kumnova-Baci.
Kumnova-Baci educational authorities have launched new initiatives to educate students about the potential harms that stem from social media content. — Photo: ARMEND NIMANI/AFP
Mental health crisis
TikTok's huge global success has been partly built on the success of its "challenges" – an interactive call that invites users to create videos featuring dances, jokes or games that sometimes go viral.
The mother of one girl who cut herself said children as young as nine had self harmed after watching one of the videos on TikTok.
"It is a game for girls between the ages of nine and 17 on TikTok... they are imitating and acting like in the video posted there," she said.
The mother, who is not named to protect her daughter's identity, called for the app to be banned.
"This app publishes everything, even the most dangerous content. I think the state should ban TikTok," she said.
"It became the biggest concern ever in my life," she added, saying her daughter had documented her wounds on her phone.
According to TikTok's official policy, videos promoting 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 showing, promoting, or sharing plans for suicide or self-harm," said a statement posted on their website.
For years, experts have warned that social media platforms can be damaging to the mental health of their youngest users through addiction to apps, bullying, and body image and self-esteem issues.
Last year, United States surgeon general Vivek Murthy called for action to ensure social media platforms were not harming young people.
"We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis – one that we must urgently address," Murthy said.
In Gjakova, sources close to the victims said many turned to self-harm to overcome passing feelings of desperation. Others wanted to test their ability to endure pain.
"And what's really bad is the game starts with several cuts," said Kumnova-Baci.
Kumnova-Baci shows a picture on her smartphone during an interview. — Photo: ARMEND NIMANI/AFP
Online threat
Locals told AFP the discovery had sent a chill through the city of some 78,000 people near the Albanian border.
"It is very hard for us to admit that our children are injuring themselves," said Besfort Krasniqi, a 45-year-old business manager from Gjakova and a father of three.
"It's not just a major issue, it's very disturbing," added hairdresser Qendresa Hoti, 32.
"I have small children and I was not directly threatened by this case, but our fear grows as our children grow."
Kumnova-Baci said educational authorities have launched new initiatives to educate students about the potential harms that stem from social media content.
Mirevete Aziri, an education specialist and psychologist, said the incidents of self-harm were likely linked to "uncontrolled access of children to social networks even when they are at school and in the family circle."
Drin Domi of the local prosecutor's office said a police investigation into the incidents had been opened.
Kosovo's government prohibited government employees and institutions from using TikTok on their work phones and other official devices in June, citing "cyber threats". – AFP
