Albania bans TikTok for a year due to rising youth violence.

Albania has decided to impose a temporary ban on TikTok, joining other nations that have also taken similar measures regarding the platform. The measure, which will last for one year, is implemented in response to a series of protests across the country and the unrest generated after the murder of a 14-year-old teenager in November by a classmate who shared images of the incident on Snapchat.

Albania's Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has stated that social media, particularly TikTok, is contributing to an increase in youth violence in the nation. Rama remarked that "TikTok will not exist in the Republic of Albania" and labeled it as "the bully of the neighborhood," asserting that action will be taken to expel this "bad influence" for a year.

In addition to the ban, the Albanian government plans to launch new programs aimed at educating children and providing support to parents. In the past month, Rama has met with various community sectors, including teachers, students, parents, and psychologists, to address the growing concern over the impact of social media on youth.

Meanwhile, other countries are considering stricter laws to protect minors on digital platforms, in a broader context of digital and national security. In North America, Europe, and Asia, various restrictions on TikTok have been adopted. In the United States, a requirement for the divestment of TikTok, which amounts to an effective ban, is scheduled to take effect on January 19 and is currently under appeal in the Supreme Court, with TikTok arguing that this constitutes a violation of freedom of speech.

Additionally, in May, a bipartisan bill was introduced that would prohibit the use of social media for individuals aged 13 and under, and in November, Australia approved a complete ban on the use of social media for those under 16, placing responsibility on social media companies to restrict access for these users. In the UK, similar initiatives are also being discussed.

However, experts are divided on whether such bans are the right solution. A report from the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine did not recommend banning platforms, noting that current research linking social media to negative mental health outcomes is not robust enough to establish a causal relationship. Instead, they suggest that lawmakers should focus on establishing strong industry standards and promoting transparency.