A storm that shows no signs of abating, amidst protests, accusations, vehement political controversies and the predictable anger of younger users. This is the scenario that is being observed in Albania, a state which – by will of Prime Minister Edi Rama – after long considerations has taken a shock decision: that of banning access to the social network TikTok for a year, starting from 2025, to who connects to the Internet from the Land of Eagles.
The ban, we recall, was taken on Saturday. And it comes after a wave of “accidents” involving TikTok in most of the Balkan countries, with children and teenagers injured due to dangerous challenges launched on social media. But in Tirana the video sharing network had long been viewed with extreme suspicion by the elites in power, in particular after the death, which occurred a year ago, of a 14-year-old boy, stabbed by a peer, apparently after repeated arguments via social media. The bloody event would have been followed by many videos of young Albanians who would have “glorified” the assassination and the killer via TikTok and by other posts showing minors with bladed weapons and knives to be exhibited even in schools, in addition to many, too many bullying scenes.
Lies and ignorance, the two children involved in the case – the victim and the murderer – did not even have “an account on TikTok”, the social giant defended itself, which also suggested that the videos glorifying the criminal act would were “posted on other social networks, not on TikTok”. But Rama does not back down. In a long post on Premier who went further, de facto declaring war on a social network that «has no right to ask for any clarification. It is Albania that decides, not the owners of the algorithm.” “Maybe we will be too young to ask TikTok to protect children and young people” and so Tirana decided to go it alone, because “the threat” to minors “is serious”. And “90% of parents” asked for the ban, Rama always claimed.
But the picture appears much more complex. According to various studies, more than 20% of the global population suffers from social media addiction and it is true that “here it is even more marked, with children who can spend 9-13” hours in front of a screen, also echoed by psychologist Valbona Treska. However, he added that bans are not the solution, because “if we remove TikTok, another platform will arrive”.
«Banning TikTok is an act of extreme censorship», also attacked Rama's “nemesis”, the centre-right opposition leader, Sali Berisha, who used TikTok to launch his own message of revolt against the decisions of the executive . “The worst model for children is Rama's government: if you steal you become a minister, if you are arrogant you become mayor”, added the top poppy of the Democratic Party, Gazment Bardhi.
But even among young Albanians on social media, TikTok in the lead, the mood is terrible. «Social media has nothing to do with violence», stated Mira on TikTok, «the problem is in people's minds, not in Instagram or TikTok», echoed those who hide behind the nickname Ton Dursaku. “Rama's threats are only threats, nothing will be done”, Indrit reassured. The unbeatable social network is «something fun, to pass the time» and «we do not agree with the ban, it does not incite violence», other opinions of young people collected by the international media. The last ones, perhaps, before the imminent ban.
Related News :