Albania has banned TikTok for a year, citing concerns over rising violence and bullying among children, while engaging with the platform on safety measures.
 |
| Albania has imposed a yearlong ban on TikTok over concerns about its impact on children, citing rising violence and bullying linked to social media. Image: ChicHue |
TIRANA, Albania — March 8, 2025:
The Albanian government has announced a 12-month ban on TikTok, accusing the platform of contributing to rising violence and bullying among children. The decision follows months of discussions and public concern about the app’s influence on youth behavior.
Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu stated that officials are in discussions with TikTok regarding stricter content moderation, including parental controls, age verification, and the addition of the Albanian language to the app. Authorities also reported that consultations with 65,000 parents overwhelmingly supported restrictions or a full shutdown of the platform.
The push to ban TikTok gained momentum after a teenager fatally stabbed another in November following an argument that allegedly began on the platform. While TikTok has denied any direct link to the incident, Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized the need for stronger protections, stating that the government is engaged in “positive dialogue” with the company.
TikTok has yet to issue an official response but previously requested clarification from the Albanian government on the case, maintaining that it found “no evidence” connecting the attacker or victim to the app.
Albanian children form the largest group of TikTok users in the country, and authorities have expressed growing alarm over social media’s role in encouraging school violence and bullying. Increased police presence at schools and training programs for teachers, students, and parents have been introduced as additional safeguards.
The opposition has condemned the ban, calling it an attack on free expression and setting a protest date for March 15. Critics argue that restricting a global platform is an overreach that could stifle digital freedoms.
TikTok, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, has faced scrutiny in multiple countries over its influence on young users. The platform was briefly suspended in the U.S. as it complied with a law requiring ByteDance to divest its ownership or face a nationwide ban. Meanwhile, the U.K.’s data watchdog is investigating how TikTok processes user data, particularly its impact on children’s exposure to harmful content.
Albanian authorities say discussions with TikTok will continue, but for now, the app will remain inaccessible in the country for the next year.