Albania’s government has implemented a 12-month shutdown of TikTok, citing concerns over the platform’s role in promoting violence and bullying among youth. 

The government announced the decision last week, following months of growing parental alarm about the social media app’s influence on children’s behavior.

Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu reported that Albanian officials were engaging with TikTok to develop safety measures, including parental controls, age verification systems, and Albanian language integration, according to the Associated Press. 

The government’s action comes after consulting with parents, with Manastirliu stating that authorities conducted 1,300 meetings involving approximately 65,000 parents who “recommended and were in favor of the shut down or limiting the TikTok platform.”

Prime Minister Edi Rama indicated that the country maintains a “positive dialogue” with the company, noting that TikTok representatives plan to visit Albania to propose “a series of measures to increase the security of children.”

Triggered by Violence Among Youth

The ban initiative began following a November 2024 incident where a teenager fatally stabbed another teen after a dispute that originated on social media. 

While TikTok has contested their platform’s involvement, stating they “found no evidence that the perpetrator or victim had TikTok accounts,” the government proceeded with the temporary prohibition.

Research cited by the Associated Press shows Albanian children constitute the country’s largest demographic of TikTok users. Parents expressed increasing worry after reports of children bringing knives to school or engaging in bullying inspired by TikTok content.

Mixed Reactions and Global Context

The Albanian political opposition disagreed with the ban and is scheduling a March 15 protest against what it characterized as “an act of intolerance, fear and terror from free thinking and expression.”

TikTok faces regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries. The app briefly suspended operations in the United States to comply with divestiture requirements before service was restored. 

Meanwhile, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office is investigating how TikTok utilizes personal information from teenagers aged 13-17 in its content recommendation algorithms.