Albania Becomes First in Europe to Ban TikTok for a Year Starting 2025

Dec 21, 2024, 04:15 PM

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the government will ban TikTok for at least one year, starting at the beginning of 2025. The decision comes in response to concerns about the social media platform's influence on youth and its potential role in fueling violence among children. The announcement follows the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old student last month, which has prompted a national debate on school violence and the impact of social media. During a meeting in Tirana with teachers, parents, and psychologists, Rama described TikTok as "the neighborhood hooligan," stating, "We will chase this hooligan out of our neighborhood for a year." Albania will be the first country in Europe to impose such a ban on TikTok.