Albania to impose year-long TikTok ban over youth violence
The Albanian government announced that starting in early 2025, it will impose a year-long ban on TikTok for all citizens. The decision is a response to the growing violence among youth, which Prime Minister Edi Rama attributes to the influence of social media.
Albania's Prime Minister, Edi Rama, announced the implementation of a year-long TikTok ban, which will take effect in early 2025. This decision aims to curb youth violence, which is allegedly stemming from social media.
During a meeting in Tirana with teachers and parents, Rama described TikTok as a "neighbourhood thug." The Prime Minister emphasized that the ban aims to educate young people and support parents in monitoring their children's activities.
Response to dramatic events
The introduction of the ban is a response to the tragic events of November when a 14-year-old was killed by a peer after an argument on social media.
TikTok authorities have appealed to the Albanian government for clarification on the decision, pointing out that there was no evidence that the perpetrator or the victim had TikTok accounts. Prime Minister Rama noted that Albania is too small to influence the platform's algorithms, which promote violence and hatred.
