Albania to shut down TikTok from 2025 for at least a year

Move aims to make schools safer following teen's death in fight after social media spat

TIRANA - Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Dec 21 said the government would shut down social network TikTok for at least a year from 2025.

"We are going to chase this thug out of our neighbourhood for one year," he told a meeting with Albanian teachers, parents and psychologists in Tirana.

The move is part of a broader plan to make schools safer, reported Reuters.

The government would launch programmes to "serve the education of students and help parents follow their children's journey", he added.

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. Local media had reported that the incident followed arguments between the two boys on social media. Videos had also emerged on TikTok of minors supporting the killing.

The fatal incident 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," said Mr Rama.