A regional workshop titled “A Digital Agenda for Children’s Safety in the Western Balkans” was held today in Tirana, organized by the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) in collaboration with the Children’s Rights Center of Albania (CRCA/ECPAT). The event gathered representatives from TikTok, along with media regulators from North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo, as well as experts and other officials. The workshop aimed to discuss best practices for ensuring children’s safety in the digital space and fostering regional cooperation.

Why is this important: In August, AMA initiated a successful collaboration with TikTok to regulate video-sharing platforms more effectively. A key outcome of this partnership is a dedicated reporting link on AMA’s official website, where citizens can flag harmful content found on TikTok. Since its implementation, hundreds of videos violating laws related to piracy and harmful content have been removed. This proactive approach is crucial for protecting children and ensuring safer digital environments. AMA’s success with TikTok sets a precedent for other countries in the region to follow, making it an important step toward improving digital safety standards across the Balkans.

Context: During the workshop, AMA Chairwoman Armela Krasniqi invited media regulators from Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro to discuss how Albania’s successful collaboration with TikTok could be replicated in their own countries. The panel featured prominent figures such as Jeton Mehmeti, Chairman of the Independent Media Commission in Kosovo, and Lukasz Gabler, TikTok’s Public Policy Manager, who praised the partnership with AMA. This meeting is part of a larger initiative between TikTok and CRCA/ECPAT Albania, which focuses on raising awareness about digital skills and safety, particularly among children, women, and other vulnerable groups. The initiative also supports the exchange of information and best practices among professionals, authorities, and NGOs across six Western Balkan countries.