North Macedonia Political Party Urges TikTok Ban Following Injuries from Dangerous Challenge

A political party in North Macedonia has called for a ban on social networks that promote harmful behaviour. This follows several injuries among young people linked to the "Superman challenge" on TikTok. Health officials reported that 17 students, aged 10 to 17, were hospitalised in Skopje and other areas with various injuries over the past week.

The Liberal-Democratic Party, which was part of the ruling coalition until early 2024, condemned the spread of dangerous online content. They highlighted the recent TikTok challenge, which injured six children in just one day. The party criticised the lack of control over social media content, allowing such trends to reach vulnerable users.

Social Media's Impact on Youth

The party urged authorities to implement measures to ban content that incites violence and self-harm. They also called for increased monitoring and penalties for platforms that allow dangerous trends. "The lack of adequate control over the content of social media allows such games to reach the most vulnerable users," their statement read.

North Macedonia's Education Minister, Vesna Janevska, emphasised that students should prioritise education over TikTok challenges. She noted that banning mobile phones in schools would not solve the issue, as children have access to phones at home and elsewhere. "Phones will be available to children in their homes, neighbourhoods and other environments," she stated.

Psychologists' Concerns

Psychologists have expressed concern about the influence of social media trends on children. They believe that the desire to fit in with online trends and excessive phone use are key factors driving risky behaviours among youth. Experts recommend that parents and schools engage in discussions with students about these issues.

The recent incidents highlight the urgent need for action to protect young people from harmful online content. Authorities are being urged to take swift measures to curb the spread of dangerous challenges on social media platforms.