Albania has announced a one-year ban on TikTok following the stabbing death of a 14-year-old boy last month, citing the platform’s role in promoting harmful content and sparking fears about its influence on children.
At a glance:
- Albania will block TikTok starting in January 2025, following concerns over its influence on youth after a fatal stabbing tied to social media conflicts.
- Prime Minister Edi Rama blamed TikTok for fueling violence and promoting harmful content, calling it the “thug of the neighborhood.”
- TikTok denied any connection to the incident, stating it found no evidence the victim or perpetrator had accounts on the platform.
- Critics, including opposition lawmakers, have called the ban a violation of free speech and an abuse of power.
The decision to block TikTok follows the November killing of a 14-year-old boy in southern Tirana. The fatal incident reportedly stemmed from a social media argument between the victim and the accused. Videos glorifying the violence circulated on TikTok, sparking outrage among parents and educators.
“In China, TikTok promotes how students can take courses, how to protect nature, how to keep traditions, but on the TikTok outside China we see only scum and mud,” Prime Minister Rama said, justifying the ban.
Government action
Rama announced the ban as part of broader measures to improve school safety, which include increased police presence and closer collaboration with parents. He also pledged to roll out educational programs to help parents monitor their children’s online activities.
Rama stated the government would review TikTok’s actions and the reactions of other countries during the ban to determine if it will allow the platform to resume operations in Albania.
TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, denied any connection between its platform and the fatal stabbing. The company has called for “urgent clarity” from the Albanian government, emphasizing that reports indicated other platforms were involved in the incident.
The app is no stranger to scrutiny. It is banned in countries like India, Iran, and Afghanistan and faces potential bans in the United States and other nations due to concerns over privacy, data security, and harmful content.
But not everyone supports the move. Ina Zhupa, a lawmaker from Albania’s Democratic Party, called the decision “a grave act against freedom of speech and democracy.” She accused Rama’s government of exploiting the tragedy for political gain, branding the ban an “electoral act.”
A global trend
Albania’s ban on TikTok mirrors growing concerns about the platform’s influence on youth. European countries, including France and Germany, have implemented restrictions on social media use for children, while Australia recently approved a ban for under-16s that will take at least a year to implement.
The United States has taken its own steps, with Congress passing a law to ban TikTok unless ByteDance divests ownership. TikTok is contesting the measure, with the U.S. Supreme Court set to hear arguments in January 2025.
The ban on TikTok in Albania is expected to come into effect in early 2025. While supporters believe the move will protect children and curb violence, critics warn it could set a dangerous precedent for government overreach and censorship. The outcome of this decision will likely have implications for how countries address the influence of social media on vulnerable populations.
