The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama clarified Sunday reasons why his government decided to shut down the social network TikTok for a year.

According to him, during the meetings he had with the parents the last month, they urged to shut down this app. 

"In over 1300 meetings we had with the parents nationwide, where participated over 65.000 parents, 90% of them required to shut down the TikTok. This is the reason why we decided to ban it for a year" said Rama. 

Just a day ago, he said that the government will shut down social network TikTok for at least a year starting at the beginning of 2025. During a meeting in Tirana with Albanian teachers, parents and psychologists Rama said that "TikTok is the thug of the neighborhood."

"We are going to chase this thug out of our neighborhood for one year," Rama said. He added that the government will start programs that will "serve the education of students and help parents follow their children's journey."

The blocking of the controversial social network comes less than a month after a 14-year-old student was killed and another injured in a fight near a school in Tirana that had begun with a confrontation on social media. The killing sparked a debate in the country among parents, psychologists and educational institutions about the impact of social networks on young people.