Government
Rama: We are working on a social media ban for children under 16
Meeting with Tirana high school principals, the prime minister said the government is also studying a lower age of criminal responsibility after the violent protests.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 20, 2026, 10:07 · Updated 12:21 · 1 min read
In brief
- Rama spoke at the Ministry of Education to the principals of Tirana's high schools.
- The government is drafting a restriction on social media for minors under 16.
- Lowering the age of criminal responsibility remains under study, with no final decision.
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Tuesday that the government is preparing measures to restrict social media use by children under the age of 16. He made the statement at the Ministry of Education during a meeting with the capital's high school principals, after days of protests in Tirana that have also involved minors.
Rama gave no details on how such a ban would be enforced in practice. He also said the government is considering lowering the age for criminal punishment, presenting it as a path some European countries are also taking. According to him, the issue is still being studied.
A package of administrative measures
The prime minister mentioned a package that will not be limited to criminal measures but will also include administrative ones. He stressed that anyone who damages public or private property will be required to pay for the damage caused.
Rama asked school principals to keep a detailed log of events so that students who may need support can be identified. He claimed that about 200 police officers and about 80 protesters have been injured during the protests, figures that have not been independently verified, and denied that police used disproportionate force.
The head of government also said the courts have found the arrests made by police to be lawful, but expressed the view that they have been too lenient in cases of violence.
