Since 2021, Vietnam has implemented the national program “Protecting and Supporting Children to Interact Safely and Creatively in Cyberspace (2021–2025)” to shield young users from harmful online influences.

At a recent training session hosted by the Press Department of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, aimed at updating journalists on the current state of child online protection, seasoned child advocate Le Thi Mai Quyen - with over 15 years at the National Child Protection Hotline 111 - shared critical insights.

According to Quyen, Vietnamese children are using the internet more than ever, with two-thirds now having regular online access. Many spend one to three hours daily for schoolwork, socializing, and entertainment such as games, movies, or music.

“While the internet brings convenience and fun, it’s also filled with hidden dangers,” she said.

Quyen emphasized three major risks children face: hidden content, anonymous threats, and their own curiosity and trust.

Some online videos or games seem child-friendly at first glance, but upon deeper engagement reveal inappropriate, violent, or misleading content. These harmful materials often bypass standard filters.

Anonymous threats are equally concerning. “Anyone can pretend to be someone else online,” Quyen explained. “Offenders may pose as classmates, older siblings, or even celebrities to befriend and manipulate children.”

She recounted a troubling case: “A 15-year-old suffering from anxiety shared everything with online ‘friends’ she’d never met. Her entire social circle existed virtually, not in real life - a dangerous shift when anonymous threats are everywhere.”

Children’s natural curiosity and tendency to trust sympathetic strangers make them easy targets. “At their age, they crave exploration and are quick to believe those who appear to listen or care,” Quyen noted. “This makes them vulnerable to predators.”

“Cyberspace is vibrant and diverse, but also full of traps - especially for children,” she warned.

Speaking on emerging tech, Captain Dinh Thi Nhu Hoa from the A05 Cybersecurity Training Center, Ministry of Public Security, outlined the negative effects of generative AI.

While AI offers useful tools, it also brings new threats: exposure to inappropriate content, personal data leaks, dangerous challenges, scams, and adverse psychological effects.

“AI may give quick advice, but it’s not grounded in reality,” Hoa said. “Children might treat AI like a real friend and follow dangerous suggestions, harming both their mental and physical health.”

She added that over-reliance on AI interactions could impair social skills and lead to depression or anxiety. It may also weaken children's ability to learn and explore independently.

To address these dangers, Hoa introduced the “4T Rule” for safer online behavior:

Tuân thủ (Compliance): Follow the law, provider guidelines, and household digital rules.
Thông minh (Smart): Equip yourself with knowledge and skills to navigate cyberspace.
Thận trọng (Caution): Be wary when making new friends or clicking unfamiliar links.
Tử tế (Kindness): Act respectfully online and avoid spreading harmful content.

Vietnam to launch KOL alliance to foster trust, combat fake news online

VOV.VN - A dedicated alliance of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) is set to make its debut in Vietnam this August during the country’s first-ever National KOL Conference, according to the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA).