Albania has decided to block TikTok for a year, following a fatal fight among teenagers that originated on the social media platform. The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, justified the drastic measure as a means of protecting children and teenagers from digital violence and bullying.
The incident, which led to a 14-year-old’s fatal stabbing, occurred last year. Two teenage gangs had been engaging in a virtual feud on TikTok, eventually meeting for a physical fight. The shock over the crime was immense and the government responded with a hard line against the platform.
The national authority for electronic communication (Akep) ordered internet service providers to block access to TikTok until March 13. Critics argue that the ban is excessive, as it can be easily bypassed using a virtual private network (VPN). TikTok itself denies the allegations, stating that there is no evidence that the perpetrators or victims had even an account on the platform.
The case once again highlights the difficulty for governments in effectively regulating social media and ensuring the safety of users. A similar dispute had occurred in the United States, where TikTok faced national security concerns.
After the Chinese parent company, ByteDance, missed the deadline for the forced sale of its US subsidiary, TikTok was temporarily offline in the US. However, following an intervention by President Donald Trump, who granted an extension, the app was quickly restored in the US.
This trend against TikTok is not new – the handling of social media platforms like TikTok has repeatedly led to scandals in the past. While Albania takes a decisive stance against the Chinese giant, regulatory hurdles had to be overcome in the US. The central, still unresolved question remains: how can a platform, used by millions and often uncontrolled in spreading violence and bullying, be effectively monitored and regulated?