A troubling new phenomenon is unfolding in Tirana. Rental apartments – once meant for travellers or short-term stays – are now becoming secret party hubs for underage teens. Behind closed doors, adolescents as young as 14 are engaging in reckless behaviour, combining alcohol, drugs, and risky encounters, all far from the watchful eyes of their parents. While this trend may seem like a rebellious phase, its consequences extend far beyond a single night of fun. From rising domestic violence cases to an alarming surge in online blackmail and harassment, these underground gatherings are contributing to a much larger crisis among Albanian youth.
From Sidewalks to Secret Parties: How Teen Gatherings Have Changed
In the past, teenagers spent their free time on sidewalks or in cafes after school. But today, an increasing number of young people are shifting towards private rental spaces, seeking freedom away from public scrutiny.
“These parties are mostly attended by 14 to 16-year-olds. They pool their money together to rent an apartment for a few hours, usually after school. Those with more freedom from their parents sometimes stay overnight,“ explains psychologist Valbona Treska.
However, what starts as innocent fun quickly escalates. Alcohol, energy drinks, and narcotics blend into a dangerous cocktail, often leading to reckelss decisions and severe consequences. The lack of supervision inside these apartments creates the perfect setting for excessive substance abuse and risky sexual encounters.
How are Minors Getting Access to Rental Apartments?
Despite rental restrictions, underage teens have found ways to bypass legal barriers. “Many use their parents or other adults ID documents to secure an apartment, reveals Valbona Treska, Tthe President of the “Order of Psychologists of Albania“.
Landlords, either unaware or indifferent, often fail to properly verify the age and identity of their tenants. This lack of oversight turns daily rental properties into unregulated spaces where young people can engage in illicit activities without fear of immediate consequences.
The Darker Side: Drug Use Leading to Domestic Violence
The impact of these reckless parties doesn`t stop once the night ends. The rise in drug use among teenagers is fuelling an alarming increase in domestic violence, where parents are becoming victims of their own children`s aggression.
“My son becomes aggressive and uncontrollable when he uses drugs and demands money. He slapped me – there are no visible bruises, but the emotional pain is unbearable“, confesses a mother in an interview by Top Channel TV, whose report led to her son`s arrest.
Courtrooms are now flooded with domestic violence cases where the perpetrators are young drug users. Many parents, unable to cope with their children`s addiction, are forced to sell household items to meet their demands, while others report abuse only when they feel their lives are at risk.
A New Battleground: Online Harassment and Blackmail
While these secret parties pose a physical risk, another danger lurks in the digital world. According to the national report on internet safety from iSIGURT.al, cyber harassment, stalking, and blackmail cases – mainly targeting teenage girls – are on the rise.
“In 2024 alone, we recorded 407 online incidents. Girls are the most affected particularly those aged 15-18,“ says Borjana Dine from iSIGURT.al.
Cyberbullying and hate speech now make up 40% of reports, with many cases involving financial blackmail over intimate photos shared online. In some instances, victims are pressured into paying money to prevent the spread of personal images, further deepening the psychological toll on vulnerable teens.
A Crisis That Demands Urgent Action
The rise of unsupervised apartment parties is not just about underage drinking or rebellious behaviour – it is a symptom of a larger issue. With increasing drug use, family violence, and online threats, Albanian youth are navigating a dangerous landscape with little protection.
Stricter oversight of short-term rentals is urgently needed, along with greater parental involvement and proactive intervention form schools and psychologists. Without action, these hidden parties will continue to fuel a crisis that threatens the safety and well-being of an entire generation. Because when the door of an apartment closes for a wild night, it doesn`t just shut out the world – it locks in a cycle of danger that could have lasting consequences.
Written by our correspondent A.T.
