Albania has banned TikTok due to concerns over youth violence fueled by social media. Following the ban, users faced access issues via web browsers. The National Authority for Cybersecurity has ordered internet providers to confirm the ban, which followed a tragic incident involving violence among youths. TikTok claims the videos involved were posted on another platform.
TikTok users in Albania are currently facing challenges accessing the platform due to a government-imposed ban that took effect on Thursday. This action stems from concerns regarding social media’s role in promoting youth violence, both in and out of educational institutions. Albania’s decision aligns with similar restrictions enacted in at least 20 other countries due to worries over inappropriate content and security risks associated with TikTok’s ownership by ByteDance, which is linked to the Chinese government.
Following the ban, users reported that access to TikTok via web browsers was disabled around midday. Although Ermal Hoxha, a 28-year-old resident of Tirana, noted the app was still functional, he experienced repeated error messages when attempting to access the website. Other users corroborated these issues, prompting a government official to indicate that the ban would soon extend from web browsers to the mobile application.
The Albanian National Authority for Cybersecurity (AKSK) has mandated that all internet service providers confirm, in writing, that TikTok would be inaccessible by Thursday. The government’s decision, which was made last December, was catalyzed by the tragic incident of a 14-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed by a peer following conflicts exacerbated by social media interactions. TikTok has since sought clarification from the Albanian authorities, asserting that evidence shows the videos involved in the incident were shared on a different platform, not TikTok.
The Albanian government’s decision to ban TikTok reflects growing concerns about the relationship between social media and youth violence. As similar actions occur globally, the Albanian authorities focus on protecting youth from the potential dangers of certain online content. Moving forward, it will be crucial to monitor the effectiveness of such bans and the responses from social media platforms regarding these issues.
Original Source: www.fijitimes.com.fj
