How Social Media Affects Illegal Immigration in Albania?

Abstract

The main topic of conversation between Albania and Great Britain at the moment is illegal immigration. The impact that social media has had on the growth in the number of young Albanians traveling to the British island makes these changes even more intriguing. Apps like Tik Tok, Instagram, or Facebook—these previously underutilized mechanisms have transformed into enormous connecting and influencing tools between criminal organizations that readily recruit young people, allowing the growth of illegal commerce. Information is interactive and available in real time due to today's media. Geographically, connections to the targeted people are present everywhere. By showcasing the efforts of "organized groups" via movies, pictures, or letters, these programs build strong relationships based on trust. We are alluding to the TikTok films of Albanian refugees on boats at the Dover port's border with England, which the British press referred to as a "new form of communication". Social media in this situation helps to establish favorable conditions that encourage illegal immigration. Why this subject? Immigration-related concerns are of great importance right now in our nation and abroad. The "communicative" component now provides these innovations a new dimension. The research method is qualitative. Erl Murati, the editor-in-chief of "Gazeta Shqiptare," Bled Koka, the editor-in-chief of "Syri TV/Syri.net," and Zylyftar Bregu, a media researcher, are among the three media specialists who are interviewed. Additionally, 20 interviews with students and youth will be conducted in order to learn more about how to inform them. Quantitative and qualitative statistics will be provided for this article through the TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook accounts that were created specifically for the goal of monitoring the "blogosphere." Received: 19 February 2024 / Accepted: 21 March 2024 / Published: 23 March 2024