Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Saturday, December 21, that the government will shut down social network TikTok for at least a year starting at the beginning of 2025. During a meeting in Tirana with Albanian teachers, parents and psychologists Rama said that "TikTok is the thug of the neighborhood."
"We are going to chase this thug out of our neighborhood for one year," Rama said. He added that the government will start programs that will "serve the education of students and help parents follow their children's journey."
The blocking of the controversial social network comes less than a month after a 14-year-old student was killed and another injured in a fight near a school in Tirana that had begun with a confrontation on social media. The killing sparked a debate in the country among parents, psychologists and educational institutions about the impact of social networks on young people.
"In China, TikTok promotes how students can take courses, how to protect nature, how to keep traditions, but on TikTok outside China we see only scum and mud. Why do we need this?" Rama asked.
The platform attracts young people with its never-ending scroll brief videos, and has more than one billion active users worldwide. TikTok has also faced accusations of espionage in the United States, and is under investigation by the European Union over claims it was used to sway Romania's presidential election in favor of a far-right candidate. The platform has been banned for use by personnel in state institutions in several countries.