The Albanian government has officially banned TikTok for 12 months. Access to the platform will be cut off within a week, following a decision by the Council of Ministers.

The decision, announced by Minister of Education Ogerta Manastirliu, follows the stabbing of a 14-year-old in the capital Tirana, which heightened fears about the influence of digital platforms on young people.

The ban was described by Manastirliu as a necessary step to protect children and teenagers. “We have consulted widely with parents, and it is clear that social networks can have a serious impact on young people,” she said. “This is a temporary measure that will allow us time to work with TikTok’s representatives and implement further safeguards.”

The move to block TikTok follows the death of 14-year-old Martin Cani in Tirana, who was fatally stabbed by a peer after a dispute that allegedly started online. Another teenager was also injured in the incident, which prompted a wave of public outrage.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, who had hinted at such a crackdown last December, has been particularly vocal about the dangers posed by social media. He has accused TikTok of amplifying harmful content outside China while curating an educational and cultural experience for users in its home country.

“This tragedy is a wake-up call for both the state and society,” Rama said in a cabinet meeting. “We can no longer stand by and allow platforms like TikTok and Snapchat to expose our children to violence and toxic content. The killing of a 14-year-old boy should remind us all of the permanent threat posed by these networks.”

TikTok has denied any direct connection to the attack, stating that neither the victim nor the perpetrator had accounts on its platform. The company also criticised the Albanian government for failing to consult with them before making the decision, calling for “urgent clarity”. 

It remains unclear how effectively Albania will be able to enforce the ban, as past attempts in other countries have shown that tech-savvy users often find ways around restrictions.

While the government insists that the ban is about protecting children, critics argue that it is a politically motivated move, especially with Albania’s 2025 general elections approaching.

Ina Zhupa, an opposition MP from the Democratic Party, accused Rama of exploiting a tragedy to tighten control over online speech. “The timing of this decision is a clear indicator that electoral interest is the real motive,” she wrote. “This is a premeditated murder of press freedoms.”

The ban also raises broader concerns about internet censorship in Albania. Though the government has framed it as a temporary measure, many fear that it could set a precedent for further digital crackdowns. Rama has suggested restrictions on Snapchat could follow. 

Albania’s decision comes as part of a growing global push to regulate social media, particularly when it comes to children. In France, a law enacted in June 2023 requires social media platforms to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for those under 15 years old.

Similarly, Germany enforces strict data protection laws under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which mandates parental consent for processing personal data of children under 16 years of age. 

In Australia, a sweeping law has banned social media access for children under 16.

The influence of TikTok on politics in Southeast Europe has also drawn attention. In Romania, far-right candidate Calin Georgescu leveraged TikTok to unexpectedly lead the first round of the presidential election, prompting an investigation by the European Commission. Similarly, ahead of Croatia’s December 29 presidential vote, TikTok outlined new measures to prevent its misuse in political campaigns.

For now, Albania has taken one of the most drastic steps in Europe against the platform.