Albania to ban TikTok for one year starting in 2025

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Saturday that the government will shut down the social media platform TikTok for at least a year, starting in early 2025.

Speaking at a meeting with teachers, parents, and psychologists in Tirana, Rama described TikTok as a negative influence on society. “TikTok is the thug of the neighborhood,” Rama said. “We are going to chase this thug out of our neighborhood for one year.”

Rama emphasized that the government will launch programs to improve student education and assist parents in monitoring their children’s online activity.

The decision follows the tragic death of a 14-year-old student and the injury of another in a fight near a Tirana school last month, which had reportedly started from a confrontation on social media. The incident has sparked a nationwide debate over the influence of social networks on young people.

“In China, TikTok promotes education, environmental protection, and cultural preservation. But outside China, we see only scum and mud. Why do we need this?” Rama asked.

TikTok, known for its endless stream of short videos, has more than one billion active users worldwide. However, it has faced criticism over its content and allegations of espionage in the United States. The European Union is also investigating claims that the platform was used to influence Romania’s presidential election in favor of a far-right candidate.

Several countries have already banned TikTok for use by government personnel, citing security concerns.