A misguided approach to addressing Albanian teenagers' issues

There is a certain hysteria surrounding the measures needed after the tragic death of a teenager in Tirana, killed during a fight with his schoolmates. Everyone seems to have an opinion, claiming to have the solution: the government must step in to address conflicts among youth. The government, in turn, acts as though it has carefully considered the solution, even suggesting a ban on social media apps like TikTok and Snapchat.

But this is just the hysteria of a society unwilling to face the truth, and a government doing the same.

First, we need to remember that adolescence is a turbulent time, no matter where or when it occurs. In the U.S., one of the safest and most democratic countries, teenagers with psychological issues still commit school shootings. In Europe, where schools are even safer, crimes still happen.

Second, the war on social media is a lost cause. While social media can increase the likelihood of aggressive communication, violence doesn’t start or end there. When I was a child, it was a big deal to catch Italian or Greek TV signals with homemade antennas. Today, banning TikTok would only drive teenagers to find other ways to access it.

Moreover, how can we tell a child to avoid social media when their parents spend hours on Facebook or Instagram? This is hypocritical. It’s like a gambling father, who spends all his time in a casino, telling his children not to gamble.

Third, the longing for the days when we played soccer with makeshift balls is just nostalgia. It ia a beautiful memory, but it doesn’t solve today’s problems. We can’t bring back communism or poverty as a way to punish today’s teenagers.

The solution isn’t a quick fix, but a long process. It requires a healthy education system, disciplined schools, and responsible families. We live in a society where profit is the main goal for most people, while intellectuals and scientists are often seen as unimportant, and shallow TV personalities are glorified.

On our televisions, the adults who should serve as role models for children threaten and insult each other in parliament, displaying even more violence. And yet, we expect children to stay out of conflicts caused by issues typical for their age.

Instead of hoping we can "save" teenagers with "historic" plans, each of us should aim to be a better person—better parents, better teachers, and more responsible citizens. Change starts with each of us.

This is a long battle with no immediate winners. But if we want better teenagers, we must strive to be a better society. Above all, we need to stop panicking and turning our tragedies into examples for other teenagers who might see this murder as a triumph over society. Silence and reflection are stronger than primitive cries.

The article initially appeared in Albanian titled: "Një plan i dështuar për të futur adoleshentët shqiptarë në 'karantinë'"