 "Explained: Why has Albania banned TikTok for a year?")
The Albanian government has officially imposed a one-year ban on TikTok, citing concerns about the platform’s influence on children, particularly in relation to cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and the promotion of violent behaviour.
The country’s Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu confirmed that the suspension would take effect within days, describing it as a “temporary measure” aimed at protecting minors from potential risks associated with the app.
The decision follows consultations with approximately 65,000 parents and teachers, many of whom supported restrictions or outright removal of the platform.
Manastirliu stated that authorities had been working closely with TikTok to discuss the implementation of additional safety measures, including parental controls, age verification mechanisms, and the inclusion of the Albanian language in the platform.
What is behind Albania’s TikTok ban?
The move to ban TikTok gained momentum after a tragic incident in November, when a dispute that began on the platform escalated into a violent altercation, resulting in the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy .
The case triggered a nationwide debate about the impact of social media on Albanian youth, with parents, educators, and psychologists voicing concerns about the potential for online conflicts to spill over into real-life violence.
Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, who first proposed the ban in December, reiterated that the government was acting in the best interest of children’s safety. He noted that the government had spent months analysing the technical feasibility of blocking the app and discussing potential reforms with TikTok representatives.
Vendimi për mbylljen e përkohshme të TikTokut është e para një vendim i marrë në konsultimin e gjerë me 65 mijë prindër e mësues dhe e dyta, është një vendim i marrë pasi u ngritën kapacitetet e nevojshme teknike, ndërkohë që ne jemi në një dialog shumë pozitiv me kompaninë, e…
— Edi Rama (@ediramaal) March 6, 2025
Despite this, TikTok has strongly refuted any direct connection to the tragic incident, stating, “We have found no evidence that the perpetrator or victim had TikTok accounts, and multiple reports have in fact confirmed videos leading up to this incident were being posted on another platform, not TikTok.”
What safety measures can TikTok implement in Albania?
Despite enforcing the ban, the Albanian government continues to engage in discussions with TikTok representatives. Rama confirmed that company officials would soon visit Albania to present a series of measures designed to enhance child safety on the platform.
Among the proposals under discussion are improved parental controls, mandatory age verification systems, and better content moderation tailored to Albanian users.
TikTok, operated by Chinese technology company ByteDance, has faced mounting scrutiny worldwide regarding its impact on young users. The platform, known for its algorithm-driven content recommendations, has been criticised for exposing minors to potentially dangerous challenges and harmful trends.
Researchers have pointed out that Albanian children make up the largest group of TikTok users in the country, heightening concerns about their vulnerability to online influence.
How has the Opposition and public reacted to Albania’s TikTok ban?
The TikTok ban has sparked a strong reaction from opposition parties and free speech advocates, who argue that the measure is an overreach of government authority.
Critics claim that the ban undermines digital rights and limits freedom of expression. The opposition has scheduled a national protest on March 15 to rally against the move, branding it as “an act of intolerance and fear of free expression.”
Some political figures have gone further, alleging that the government’s decision to restrict TikTok is motivated by upcoming parliamentary elections in May.
Opposition leader Sali Berisha condemned the decision, stating, “With this act of censorship affecting more than one million TikTok users in Albania, Edi Rama is putting Albania on par with Afghanistan and Iran.”
Government officials, however, have dismissed these accusations, maintaining that the ban is purely a measure to protect young users from online harm. Authorities have also increased police presence in certain schools and implemented additional measures, including training programmes for teachers, students, and parents, to address concerns about digital safety.
How is TikTok doing on the global scale?
Albania’s decision to ban TikTok comes amid increasing global scrutiny of the platform. Governments across Europe and North America have raised concerns about the app’s data privacy practices, potential links to misinformation, and its effects on children’s mental health.
In the United Kingdom, the Information Commissioner’s Office recently launched an investigation into TikTok’s data processing practices , specifically how it tailors content recommendations for users aged 13 to 17. There are growing concerns that social media algorithms may expose minors to inappropriate or harmful content.
Meanwhile, TikTok has also been the subject of regulatory action in the United States, where the app was briefly suspended to comply with a law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its operations. The platform resumed service after assurances from US President Donald Trump that a ban would be postponed.
Additionally, TikTok is under investigation by the European Union over claims that it was used to influence Romania’s presidential election in favour of a far-right candidate.
Neighbouring countries such as Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia have also reported growing concerns over the platform’s impact, particularly among young audiences.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
