Albania has added its name to the increasing number of countries that have either outright banned or temporarily restricted TikTok, declaring a one-year halt on the platform. This move comes in the wake of widespread unrest and protests sparked by the heartbreaking murder of a 14-year-old boy in November. The victim was killed by a classmate who subsequently posted images of the incident on Snapchat. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has emphasized social media, particularly TikTok, as a contributing factor to the escalating youth violence in the nation. “TikTok will not be available in the Republic of Albania,” Rama proclaimed. “TikTok is the neighborhood thug. We are determined to remove this thug from our community for a year.”
Alongside the ban, the Albanian administration intends to roll out new programs designed to educate children and assist parents. In recent weeks, Rama has engaged with educators, students, parents, and psychologists to tackle the growing worries about the influence of social media on the youth. However, specific information regarding these initiatives has yet to be revealed.
On a global scale, other countries are also adopting more stringent measures to safeguard minors from potential dangers posed by social media, often linking these efforts to wider concerns surrounding digital and national security. Various restrictions on TikTok have been put in place by nations across North America, Europe, and Asia. In the United States, a requirement for TikTok to divest, which effectively equates to a ban, is scheduled to come into effect on January 19, although an appeal is currently underway in the Supreme Court. Critics, including TikTok, contend that these actions violate free speech rights. Moreover, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill in May aimed at prohibiting social media usage for children under the age of 13.
Australia has recently adopted an even more stringent stance by enacting a law in November that forbids social media use for individuals under 16. This law places the onus on social media platforms to enforce the prohibition and applies to sites like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. The United Kingdom is also considering a similar restriction on social media for minors.
Despite these initiatives, experts remain split on whether banning social media is the most effective approach. A notable report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine refrained from endorsing outright bans. The findings indicated that existing research does not conclusively link social media use to adverse mental health effects, implying that no clear cause-and-effect relationship exists. Instead, the committee recommended stronger industry standards and enhanced transparency from social media firms.