16 April 2025
by Ersida Teliti and Olta Stasa
Ersida Teliti is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana
Olta Stasa is a PhD cadidate at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana
- Introduction: the use of TikTok in Albania
The launch of the online platform TikTok garnered significant attention from young people in Albania. By the end of 2024, the number of TikTok users in Albania is expected to reach 1.5 million, with most users aged between 12 and 25 years old. Despite initially used to upload videos or songs ranging from 3 seconds to 10 minutes, TikTok has become a hotspot of harmful content, including acts of violence, hate speech, the promotion of dangerous practices like self-harm and suicide, and other messages damaging young peoples’ mental health and wellbeing.
In contrast to many European countries where TikTok employs specific algorithms to monitor content and take appropriate actions to block or remove videos, this is not the case for Albania. The platform has yet to implement an algorithm which can detect and remove harmful content generated in the Albanian language. As a relatively small country, Albania may be perceived as a less significant market which could explain the lack of investment needed for the effective monitoring of posts. Albanian TikTok users are instead entirely reliant on a reporting mechanism to flag potentially harmful content. However, this approach is time-consuming and still allows harmful content to surface which can lead to adverse effects for vulnerable users on TikTok. Furthermore, Albania currently lacks a robust legal framework or appropriate legal bodies to trace and identify the individual(s) responsible for uploading harmful content. According to the current legal framework, the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority collaborates with other institutions, such as the police and the prosecutor’s office, to identify the internet service provider through which the content was uploaded. Yet there is no provision to obtain further granular data about the TikTok account holder who carried out the action. As a result of these lacklustre restrictions, TikTok in the Albanian language is rife with offensive and degrading language, as well as child sexual abuse content and messages encouraging younger users to engage in illegal activities, such as prohibited sexual acts, use of weapons and narcotics. The application has also been used for blackmail or threats between individuals, resulting in significant injuries and criminal behaviour among adolescents.
In August 2024, the Audiovisual Media Authority initiated a partnership with TikTok, focused on preventing the dissemination of harmful content. This partnership assisted with reporting videos which display or incite various forms of violence, contain hate speech, violate the rights of children and communities, and infringe fundamental human rights and freedoms. From August to December 2024, a total of 743 complaints were received, of which 291 were assessed as violations of the law, 286 video-audio materials were removed from the platform, while 5 remain under review. Among some of the videos reported following the partnership include:
- 20 videos involved acts of violence;
- 3 videos contained hate speech based on sexual orientation;
- 2 videos involved religious hatred;
- 31 videos depicted criminal offenses;
- 110 videos exposed children to pornography, narcotics, alcohol, tobacco, and violence;
- 107 videos incited violence and hatred;
- 13 audio recordings included language that exceeded moral and ethical standards.
- The Influence of TikTok on Youth: Trends, Risks, and Social Dynamics
A series of high-profile events highlighted the risks of failing to properly regulate the platform and safeguard users. For example, in 2021 a 10 year child committed suicide due to a TikTok challenge, and a 13 year boy committed suicide due to a challenging game on TikTok. In 2023, a 15 year old boy was stabbed during a conflict with four teenagers aged 14-16, a conflict that started and continued on social media. And, in 2024, a 41 year woman committed suicide due to bullying on TikTok. Although the suspected individual was reported to the police, no action was taken by the responsible authorities.
The latest tragedy on 20 November 2024 catalysed the pause of TikTok in Albania. In an incident which shocked the Albanian public, a 14-year-old from Tirana was stabbed to death by a peer in a pre-mediated murder, due in part to online encouragement and reactions on TikTok transforming virtual threats into physical violence. One month after the incident, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a drastic measure to suspend TikTok in Albania for one year. In response, TikTok disputed the decision, asserting that there is no evidence linking the murder to the use of its platform. After the reaction of civil society and ensuing protests, the Prime Minister of Albania, in collaboration with the Minister of Education and Sports, initiated a series of discussions with parents and teachers. The Council of Ministers approved Decision No. 151, dated March 6, 2025, “On taking temporary measures to avoid the negative impacts of the online platform ‘TIKTOK”. This act suspended access to TikTok within Albania for a period of up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension until the platform guarantees the necessary technical instruments to regulate platform access and reduce harmful content. Only when TikTok demonstrates the efficacy of these new instruments can the ban be reviewed and lifted.
- TikTok Ban: Political Move or Social Safeguard?
Prime Minister Rama’s decision was opposed by representatives of civil society, journalists, media, and experts who have criticized the move as both undemocratic and a violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms. These groups deemed it incompatible with the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and the European Convention on Human Rights. Three civil society organizations filed a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court against this decision, arguing that it violated the freedom of expression and the press, and several rights, including within the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. [1]
At present, Albania is in the midst of an electoral campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled 11 May 2025. The decision to suspend access to TikTok, which entered into force on 6 March, has raised concerns about the potential restriction of freedom of expression for the 1.5 million Albanian users. There are also more legitimate concerns about the use of TikTok in political campaigns. These include potential irregularities in campaign financing and suspected foreign interference distorting electoral processes – already experienced in other European countries, somewhat justifying the temporary suspension of the platform.
The move to suspend TikTok reflects polarised debates about the role of social media in democratic processes. The opposition and other political figures have strongly criticized the decision, accusing it of being a form of political censorship. They have characterized the act as a clear display of fanaticism, intolerance, fear, and terror against free thought and expression.
In a comparative perspective of countries that have the TikTok platform, the primary concern has been national security or harmful content. Albania is the only country that has decided to suspend access to the online platform within its territory, aiming to avoid its negative effects, particularly as a means of inciting violence which, especially amongst young people, can lead to problems in their psycho-social development.
- A Question of Balance
The decision of the Constitutional Court will determine whether the concerns raised by civil society, the media and experts are valid, or whether it will uphold a disproportionate decision that lacks a clear regulatory mechanism or a thorough analysis of the platform’s impact. TikTok should be required to present a transparent and robust safety framework outlining concrete measures to support digital parenting and the protection of minors.
The framework could include:
- Installation of parental control filters that enable guardians to monitor and limit the content accessed by children.
- Mandatory age verification mechanisms at the point of account creation and regular system audits to detect underage usage.
- Inclusion of the Albanian language within the application’s interface, content moderation, and reporting tools to ensure accessibility and local relevance.
The Albanian Government, through institutions such as Ministry of Education and Sport, Minister of State for Youth and Children and the Audiovisual Media Authority, should continue and expand its role in media education by:
- Expand digital parenting campaigns targeting parents with up-to-date guidance on online risks, including hate speech, online games, sexual exploitation, and algorithmic manipulation.
- Ensuring that such information is made available across multiple platforms, in formats that are both engaging and understandable.
- Continue its online information dissemination strategies, ensuring multilingual and multimedia access, especially for rural or marginalized families.
- Collaborations with local NGOs and schools to expand reach, especially in underserved communities.
[1] This lawsuit has not yet been made public, but the authorities have received it from the parties that have initiated the case with the Constitutional Court.