Albania Implements TikTok Ban Amid Concerns of Youth Violence

Albania has banned TikTok due to concerns about youth violence linked to social media. Users are facing access issues, particularly via web browsers, while government authorities confirm the app will also face restrictions. This decision follows a tragic incident last December and is part of a broader worldwide trend addressing the risks associated with TikTok.

Albania has enacted a ban on TikTok due to concerns surrounding youth violence linked to social media, particularly in school environments. This restriction, which commenced on Thursday, follows similar actions taken by over twenty other countries citing the app’s potential to propagate harmful content and raise security issues related to its parent company, ByteDance, in connection with the Chinese government.

Users in Albania began experiencing difficulty accessing TikTok, particularly through web browsers, after midday on the first day of the ban. Ermal Hoxha, a 28-year-old from Tirana, confirmed that while the app continued to function, the website was inaccessible, returning an error message indicating that the site could not be reached. Reports indicate that other users experienced similar challenges.

Albania’s National Authority for Cybersecurity (AKSK) mandated that all internet service providers confirm the shutdown of TikTok by Thursday. The decision to impose the ban was promulgated last December following a tragic incident where a 14-year-old student was fatally injured after conflicts on social media escalated online. TikTok responded to the situation, indicating a need for clarification from the Albanian government, suggesting that the videos leading to the incident were from a different platform.

The Albanian government’s ban on TikTok reflects growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth behavior and safety. The move aligns with global trends as various nations address similar issues related to internet safety and content regulation. As authorities continue to monitor the situation, the implications for social media usage among young people in Albania remain significant.

Original Source: www.fijitimes.com.fj