Martin Can's murder, DW analysis: Is closing social networks a solution to increasing school security?

The murder of the 14-year-old with a knife by a peer shocked Albania. Protests and debate followed.

Is the solution to closing social networks?

Debate and protest in front of the Ministry of Education in Tirana after the murder of Martin Cani, a 14-year-old who was attacked with a knife by a peer.

Both were students of the "Fan Noli" school in Tirana.

The tragic event a few days ago shocked public opinion and increased the voices for new measures and legal initiatives to reduce juvenile violence in schools.

The fight between the two students is thought to have been fueled by social media.

"The event could have been prevented"

The protester, Eralda Itaj, told DW that "institutions, schools, and society must take responsibility for the insecurity we have today for our children".

Among the protesters was the journalist Ermelinda Hoxhaj, who sees the tragic case of the student's death as an "event that could have been prevented".

"That's why we demand an increase in the number of psychologists. Meanwhile, since the budget is being discussed, we request an increase in the education budget."

Sidorela Vatnikaj, a participant in the protest, also demands the assumption of political responsibilities and says that she came to the protest "to demand that this ministry take responsibility, the resignation of the Minister of Education and guarantee the physical safety of all children in Albania's schools".

Significant increase in online bullying

The National Children's Hotline "Alo 116" receives about 200 calls a day about situations of physical or online violence from children.

The Head of the Line, Belioza Çoku, notices a growing trend of bullying on the Internet.

"After 2017, the number of calls to online bullying, where images of children were used, videos were manipulated, increased significantly, 7 times. Today, in 2024, we have about 14,000 phone calls, so it goes to 22% of the reporting of online bullying", says Belioza Çoku, head of the National Telephone Line for Children "Alo 116" for DW.

According to her, the age groups that call the most are 10, 12 or 13 years old, but as a large group it is up to 17 years old.

Debates about closing social networks

After the event, in Tirana, with the proposal of the government, a consultation with teachers and parents was started to close some of the social networks in Albania. The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama even said: "Let's take a drastic measure for the complete closure of Tik Tok, and why not Snap Chat in the Republic of Albania"

But Belioza Çoku, the head of the National Telephone Line for Children "Alo 116 "  does not see  the solution in closing social networks. 

"Do you think that children will not find another platform that will become popular, where they will have the opportunity to empty some of the deviance that has been burdened by the closure of these other two?!

Looking at the solution from this perspective means that for the 1 millionth time as a government and as a society we want to reduce the problem and fix the consequence"./DW