TIRANA, Albania — On Sunday, Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania defended the government’s recent decision to impose a ban on TikTok, stating that this action was not a hasty response to a singular event. The announcement made on Saturday outlined that TikTok would be prohibited for a duration of one year, with the government attributing this measure to concerns over the platform allegedly promoting violence and harassment, particularly among young users.

In light of a tragic incident last November, where a teenager was fatally stabbed following a dispute that originated on social media, authorities have engaged in over 1,300 discussions with parents and educators. A significant 90% of participants expressed their support for the TikTok ban, indicating widespread concern regarding the platform’s impact on youth.

Rama emphasized that the decision to shut down TikTok was methodically deliberated and involved input from school communities. He argued that the response was not impulsive but rather a well-founded decision stemming from ongoing parental concerns regarding social media’s influence.

In response to the ban, TikTok requested immediate clarification from the Albanian government about its connection to the stabbing incident. The platform stated that there was no evidence linking either the victim or the assailant to TikTok accounts, highlighting that videos related to the altercation were actually shared on a different platform.

Rama countered TikTok’s assertion, arguing that the existence of the conflict on a different platform does not diminish the extensive harm that TikTok can inflict on children and young people. He criticized TikTok for creating a toxic environment laden with hostility and negativity.

Research indicates that Albanian youth represent the largest segment of TikTok users in the nation, though the ban has not met with unanimous approval among the younger generation. Eighteen-year-old Samuel Sulmani from Rreshen expressed his disappointment, suggesting that the ban is an infringement on their freedom: “We share our daily experiences and find entertainment on the platform. It’s a part of our leisure time, and this ban feels like a deprivation for us.”

In contrast, parental worries have mounted as incidents of children bringing weapons to school have been linked to bullying and conflicts stimulated by content viewed on TikTok. Rama reassured that the government’s stance is decisive: “Either TikTok takes responsibility for safeguarding Albanian children, or the country will take action to protect its youth from the platform.”