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Albania Implements Year-Long Ban on TikTok Over Youth Violence Concerns

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Albania has begun blocking access to TikTok, a move that took effect on Thursday, amid growing concerns that the popular app is contributing to youth violence, both inside and outside of schools. This decision follows the tragic death of a 14-year-old boy, who was fatally stabbed by a fellow student after an argument fueled by social media, which prompted the government to take action.

Albania’s ban is part of a wider trend, as at least 20 countries have imposed partial or complete bans on TikTok due to concerns about the content shared on the platform and its ties to ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns the app, amid broader security and privacy concerns.

Many Albanian users have reported issues accessing TikTok, particularly via web browsers. One user, Ermal Hoxha, 28, from Tirana, noted, “I can see that TikTok is no longer accessible on the web but the app is still working, for now.” Similar reports have surfaced, with the Albanian government confirming that the ban will soon extend to the app itself. Albania’s National Authority for Cybersecurity (AKSK) has instructed internet providers to ensure that TikTok is fully turned off by Thursday.

The decision to ban TikTok came after a December 2024 incident in which a teenager was killed following online arguments that allegedly involved videos posted on social media. TikTok responded by requesting clarification from the Albanian government, citing their investigation, which indicated that the videos leading to the tragic event had been posted on another platform.

However, Isa Myzyraj, head of the Association of Journalists in Albania (AJA), criticized the move, calling it a violation of freedom of expression and likening it to censorship. He expressed concerns that this could set a dangerous precedent, leading to the potential shutdown of other social networks or even a complete internet ban. The AJA plans to take the case to Albania’s Constitutional Court.

Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, have accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of using the TikTok ban to silence dissent and criticisms, especially as the government has been accused of consolidating control over mainstream media. Rama, however, defended the decision, claiming that TikTok often showcased harmful content outside of China, describing it as featuring “only scum and scoundrels.”

A protest has been called by the Democratic Party in Tirana for Saturday, to oppose the government’s decision and to stand against the ban.

Australia Exempts YouTube from Strict Social Media Ban for Minors, Sparking Concerns

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Australia’s recent legislation to block access to popular social media platforms for minors under 16 has sparked debate, particularly over its exemption of YouTube. While the ban will apply to platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and X, the government decided to leave Alphabet-owned YouTube accessible, citing its educational value and role in providing informational content.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland’s office defended the decision, stating that YouTube is not a “core social media application” and is widely relied upon by children, parents, and educational institutions for learning. However, some mental health and extremism experts argue that this exemption could undermine the broader goal of protecting young users from harmful content.

Despite the exemption, YouTube remains the most popular platform among Australian teenagers, with 90% of users aged 12-17 accessing it regularly. Experts, such as Macquarie University’s Lise Waldek, highlight the platform’s role in spreading extremist and harmful content, including far-right material, violence, and pornography. Researchers have also raised concerns about YouTube’s addictive algorithm, which they claim can promote dangerous content, particularly to young viewers.

Helen Young, a member of the Addressing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation to Terrorism Network, echoed these concerns, pointing out that YouTube’s algorithm feeds extremist material to users identified as young men and boys.

In response to these concerns, YouTube stated that it is committed to improving its content moderation and limiting the spread of potentially harmful videos. However, an investigation by Reuters tested YouTube’s algorithm using fictitious accounts for minors and found that within a few clicks, searches on topics like sex, COVID-19, and European History led to content promoting misogyny, extremism, and racism. Though YouTube removed some flagged videos, several harmful videos remained on the platform, leading to further criticism of the platform’s content control measures.

 

Australia Proposes Groundbreaking Ban on Social Media for Under-16s

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Australia’s centre-left government introduced a landmark bill in parliament on Thursday, seeking to prohibit social media use for individuals under 16 years old. The proposed legislation is poised to implement some of the most stringent restrictions globally, holding platforms accountable with fines reaching up to A$49.5 million (approximately $32 million or Rs. 270 crore) for systemic non-compliance. This ambitious move highlights growing concerns over the impact of social media on young users’ mental health, privacy, and safety.

Central to the enforcement of this ban is a proposed age-verification system, which could include biometric scans or the use of government-issued identification. If implemented, this trial system would represent a significant step in regulating digital spaces and ensuring that only individuals above the mandated age gain access to these platforms. However, the use of such invasive technologies has already sparked debates over privacy risks and the feasibility of widespread implementation.

Uniquely, the Australian proposal sets the world’s highest age restriction for social media usage, with no allowances for parental consent or pre-existing accounts. This no-exemption approach is designed to close potential loopholes and ensure uniform compliance across platforms. It reflects a departure from more lenient models seen in other countries, where parental approval often provides a workaround for age limitations.

Critics of the proposal have raised concerns over the balance between protecting young users and respecting personal freedoms. Questions also linger about how the age-verification measures might impact marginalized groups with limited access to technology or identification documents. Meanwhile, proponents argue that the policy is a necessary step to curb the harmful effects of unchecked social media use on children and set a global precedent for stricter digital regulation