On 22 December 2024 Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama announced a one-year ban on TikTok, set to take effect in January 2025. The decision follows the tragic fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in November in Tirana, Albania, an incident reportedly linked to arguments between teens on social media platforms, including Snapchat and TikTok. This ban, part of a larger initiative to enhance school safety, has sparked a national debate over the influence of digital platforms on youth behavior.
Prime Minister Rama described TikTok as a platform with dangerous impacts, likening it to a “neighborhood thug.” He emphasized that the ban is not a reaction to a single event but a well-considered measure following consultations with educators and parents. The government has held over 1,300 meetings with stakeholders since the incident, aiming to address growing concerns about online content and its influence on children. Rama stressed that societal issues, amplified by platforms like TikTok, pose a serious threat to the younger generation.
TikTok has denied any connection to the incident, stating that its investigation found no evidence linking the victim or perpetrator to TikTok accounts. The company also pointed out that the videos in question were reportedly posted on another platform.
Many countries have introduced regulations for minors’ online activity, others have imposed outright bans on social media for children under 16.
Critics of the ban, including digital rights advocates, urge the Albanian government to consider alternative approaches, such as regulatory frameworks aligned with international standards like the EU’s Digital Services Act. They argue that restrictions should balance safety concerns with protecting fundamental freedoms, including the right to free expression.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the decision by the Albanian government to impose a one-year ban on TikTok, following the tragic death of a teenager in Tirana Albania. While we deeply sympathize with the family affected by this tragedy and acknowledge the importance of addressing harmful online behavior, such an extreme measure is setting a dangerous precedent for arbitrary censorship. It is also a clear pressure on freedom of expression, especially in using online media.
SEEMO urges the Albanian authorities to reconsider this disproportionate response and instead adopt regulatory measures that align with international standards, ensuring the protection of both public safety and fundamental rights. SEEMO will be closely monitoring this case to ensure that press freedom and digital rights are not undermined.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives andleading journalists in Southeast, South,East and Central Europe. SEEMOmembers are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia,Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia,Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria),Montenegro, NorthMacedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia,Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine andUzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and SanMarino have a special statusin SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members,and additional mediaas corporate members.
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