It’s not an easy time for TikTok. Chinese ByteDance’s social network, which is in danger of being closed in the USA, will soon be blocked in Albania as well. Albanian users will not be able to access the social network for at least a year, starting from the first weeks of 2025. The ban was announced today by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama following a meeting with parent and teacher groups across the country.
“It is taking our children hostage,” Albania’s prime minister said, commenting on the package of measures, including this one aimed at strengthening the safety of children in schools. He then compared the platform to “neighbourhood traitors”. “We will shut down the platform for a year and start running programs to educate students and help parents monitor their children’s progress,” he added. Albania’s prime minister blamed social networks, and TikTok in particular, for allegedly fueling violence among young people inside and outside of school.
Why is TikTok blocked in Albania?
The restrictive measure against the short video app came after a 14-year-old boy in Albania’s capital last month was stabbed to death by one of his peers a few steps away from the institute, following an argument that started on social media. Videos of the minors’ favor and gesture of the murderer also emerged on TikTok. The tragedy, which shocked public opinion, forced the government to launch a series of nationwide consultations with the teacher and parent community, and Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu said it emerged that “more than 90 percent want TikTok to be shut down.”
Many European countries, including France, Germany and Belgium, have imposed restrictions on children’s use of social media. With one of the world’s toughest regulations against Big Tech, Australia in November passed a ban preventing children under 16 from using social media.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
