In Albania, steps are being taken towards the China-based social media platform TikTok. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that they will ban TikTok for one year, starting from the beginning of 2025, at a meeting with teachers, parents of students and psychologists from across the country in the capital Tirana today. Rama, who described TikTok as “the neighborhood bum”, said, “We will kick this bum out of the neighborhood for a year. We will close TikTok to everyone for 1 year. “There will be no TikTok in Albania,” he said.
“TÜKTOK IS JUST DIRT AND MUD”
Rama accused social media platforms, especially TikTok, of inciting violence among young people inside and outside of school. Rama also announced that the Albanian government will launch programs that will support students’ education and allow parents to follow their children’s progress. Rama said, “TikTok highlights how students in China can take courses, how to protect nature, and how to protect their traditions. On the other hand, outside of China, TikTok is just dirt and mud. Why would we need such a thing? he said.
THE DISCUSSIONS STARTED WITH A FIGHT
Discussions about banning TikTok in Albania started after a 14-year-old student was stabbed to death in a fight next to a school in Tirana in November. According to the news in the Albanian media, the incident occurred after a discussion on social media, and videos of children supporting the murder appeared on TikTok.
TikTok, which has more than a billion active users worldwide, was faced with accusations of espionage in the USA and accusations of creating a platform for an attempt to influence the election results in favor of a far-right presidential candidate in the European Union country Romania.
(UAV)