Albania – The Albanian Cabinet made the decision to shut down TikTok for a year, blaming the platform for inciting violence, particularly among children. Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu emphasized the ongoing discussions with TikTok regarding the installation of age verification filters, parental controls, and the addition of the Albanian language to the app. This move follows growing concern about TikTok’s role in spreading bullying and violent behavior among Albanian youth.
Authorities have held 1,300 meetings with approximately 65,000 parents, many of whom support the decision to shut down or limit the platform. The catalyst for this action was a tragic incident in November when a teenager fatally stabbed another teen following a dispute that originated on TikTok.
While TikTok has not officially commented on Albania’s decision, the company previously requested clarity on the stabbing case, as they denied the involvement of TikTok in the incident. The company also stated that the videos linked to the incident were posted on a different platform.
In December, Prime Minister Edi Rama had already indicated the government’s intent to close the platform, prompting TikTok to seek urgent discussions. Rama later confirmed that Albania was in positive dialogue with TikTok, with the company planning to visit soon to propose measures to enhance child safety on the app.
Parental Concerns Spark Strong Backlash
According to researchers, Albanian children represent the largest group of TikTok users in the country. Over recent months, numerous reports have surfaced about children being influenced by content on the platform, including incidents of bullying and instances where knives were brought to school. Alarmed by these reports, Albanian authorities have bolstered security in schools, including increasing police presence and introducing training programs for students, teachers, and parents.
Despite these actions, the opposition has rejected the decision to shut down TikTok, calling it an act of “intolerance, fear, and terror from free thinking and expression.” The opposition has organized a protest for March 15, aiming to oppose the government’s stance on the platform.
Global Concerns Over TikTok’s Safety Features
TikTok, owned by the Chinese tech company ByteDance, has faced scrutiny globally for its potential risks, particularly regarding the safety and privacy of young users. Just this week, the UK’s data protection authority announced an investigation into how TikTok uses the personal data of children aged 13 to 17. There are growing concerns that social media platforms, including TikTok, are utilizing children’s online activity data to influence content recommendations, which could lead to young people being exposed to inappropriate material.
This comes on the heels of previous actions in the U.S., where TikTok was temporarily offline to comply with a law demanding ByteDance divest the app or face a ban. Despite the brief suspension, service was restored after former President Trump postponed the ban.
As TikTok faces increasing scrutiny in Albania and beyond, its ability to protect children from harmful content remains at the forefront of global discussions.