Concern Over Govt’s Plan To Ban TikTok For A Year

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the government will shut down TikTok for at least a year starting in 2025.

Speaking at a meeting with teachers, parents, and psychologists in Tirana, Rama criticized the social media platform, calling it “the thug of the neighbourhood.” He added, “We are going to chase this thug out of our neighborhood for one year.”

The decision comes after a tragic incident in Tirana, where a 14-year-old student was killed, and another injured, in a fight that started with a confrontation on social media. This tragedy sparked a national debate in Albania about the negative influence of social networks on young people.

Rama expressed his concerns, saying that in China, TikTok promotes educational content like courses and environmental protection. However, he claimed that outside of China, the platform often features harmful and inappropriate content. “Why do we need this?” he asked, referring to the nature of TikTok’s content in countries beyond China.

As part of the shutdown, Rama’s government plans to implement programs focused on student education and parental monitoring. These programs are aimed at guiding students’ development while helping parents track their children’s social media activity.

TikTok, which boasts over one billion active users globally, has faced criticism in several countries. The U.S. has accused the app of espionage, while the European Union is investigating its involvement in Romania’s presidential election. Some countries have already banned TikTok for use by state employees.

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