Protecting children online

"Because I haven't had a phone yet, I often watch cartoons on TV. I really like watching TV"; "I really like playing farm games on my phone. I like watching cartoons and entertainment channels". That is what Tran Minh Chau in Kim Tan ward and Pham Phuong Chi in Nam Cuong ward, Lao Cai city shared.

Children easily access social media content via their phones.

Attractive games and funny videos on the Internet are like a magnet attracting children. However, not all content on the Internet is age-appropriate, children can be psychologically affected, easily deceived, seduced or drawn into unethical and illegal behavior on the Internet.

Statistics show that currently, 89% of Vietnamese children aged 12-17 use the internet, this figure is 82% for children aged 12-13 and increases to 97% for children aged 16-17. According to a report by the Ministry of Public Security, from 2020-2023, there have been more than 400 cases of taking advantage of social networking sites to lure and abuse children.

Therefore, many parents are worried and do not know how to let their children be exposed to technology while protecting them from dangers online.

Toxic content on social networks is warned.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Chinh, Kim Tan ward, Lao Cai city shared: "My family runs a business, during the summer break we cannot control the content and programs our children watch on TV and phones. This is an issue that my family is very concerned about."

Ms. Ngo Thi Kim Tan, Bac Cuong ward, Lao Cai city, worried: "There are programs on YouTube that are very silly, useless, and even dangerous for children. At home, I can control them, but when I go to work, I can't control them."

Therefore, every family needs to spend time talking to their children about the benefits and dangers of social networks, and encourage them to participate in outdoor activities to limit the time they spend using electronic devices. In addition to controlling and guiding children to use social networks selectively, equipping children with skills to recognize risks in cyberspace is necessary.

Mr. Hoang Manh Linh, Deputy Secretary of Lao Cai Provincial Youth Union, emphasized: "The Youth Union chapters at all levels in the province have implemented solutions to propagate, educate, and raise awareness for parents, children, and society to protect children from healthy interactions in cyberspace through Youth Union and Young Pioneer activities; and organize thematic talks on forums about cultural behavior in cyberspace."

To protect children in the digital environment, Vietnam has issued many legal regulations such as the 2016 Law on Children and the Law on Cyber Security. Recently, the Vietnam Information Security Association has just announced a set of standards stipulating basic requirements for products protecting children in the online environment. These steps demonstrate Vietnam's efforts in creating a safe cyberspace for children.

Parents play games at home with their children.

Ms. Tran Xuan Hue, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications of Lao Cai province, said: "We will closely coordinate with the education sector in finding the most effective solutions and measures such as: Organizing seminars or compiling instructional documents to provide children and parents with handbooks to protect themselves in cyberspace."

Social media is a double-edged sword, if used properly, it will be a useful tool. Equipping knowledge, skills and educating children on how to use social media safely is very important. That is the "digital vaccine" for "little digital citizens".

Thao Linh - Minh Dung

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