Ida Ismail
The increase in cases of online violence against children and young people is reaching alarming proportions, prompting calls for urgent institutional and legal intervention. Data published by the CRCA in Albania shows that 615 incidents were recorded during 2025, an increase of 46% compared to the previous year. According to the report, girls remain the most affected by violence in the digital space.
For three years, online bullying holds the first place in complaints on the “i-SIGURT.al” platform, for both boys and girls, followed by hate speech and publishing photos without authorization. Analysis of cases reported on the “i-SIGURT.al” platform and on the ALO 116 line shows that complaints have increased, especially in the 10-12 age group, when access to social networks also increases.
"There is open violence against girls and women on social networks. "At the age of 7, there are few complaints and the more the child grows, so they go to 10, 11, 12 years old, the more complaints increase in cyberspace because at the same time their access increases, and the need for more information of children," says CRCA director Altin Hazizaj.
The analysis of online incidents by "i-SIGURT.al" and ALO 116, as well as by responsible institutions, raises concerns about the protection of children in the digital space.
"There are 615 reported incidents. Often complaints come from four or five profiles, or even more," Hazizaj emphasized.
The expert emphasized that banning platforms is not a solution, as the case of "TikTok" showed. He proposed the adoption of a law to protect children, through the rapid closure of abusive profiles, blocking harmful materials, and building safe platforms, as a solution.
"We have a draft law ready, which we will propose to Parliament, for the protection of children in cyberspace. The industry cannot hide and say that I am simply the internet," says Hazizaj.
In this major exposure of minors on social networks, the 11th National Forum: "Are Children Protected in the Digital Space in Albania" comes at a time when alarming data is turning into a broad discussion, which encourages the urgent need for intervention with concrete measures.
In a previous ACQJ article, Tirana leads the number of reported cases of online abuse and blackmail, a trend likely influenced by the capital's large population and greater access to the internet. It is followed by Kuçova and Durrës, which also record the highest levels of reported cases.
Even the reports of the National Cyber Security Authority indicate that they are about online bullying, online blackmail, and inappropriate content, which includes pornographic, violent materials, etc.
At a time when internet use is widespread among minors and when parental control is often lacking, children are increasingly exposed to the dangers of technology.acqj.al
