At the "Promoting Cooperation to Protect Children in the Online Environment" workshop, hosted by the Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA) in collaboration with the Department of Information Security (Ministry of Information and Communications) during the Vietnam Information Security Day 2024 event, experts discussed growing risks to children online.

Dang Vu Son, Vice President of VNISA, emphasized that as one of the most vulnerable groups, children face numerous dangers online because they lack the skills to recognize and prevent risks. This is not just a challenge for Vietnam but a global issue.

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Dang Vu Son, Vice President of VNISA, speaks at the workshop. (Photo: D.V)

According to Phan Thi Kim Lien, Program Manager for Child Protection at World Vision Vietnam, nine out of ten Vietnamese children use the Internet daily, highlighting the opportunities and risks the digital environment presents to their development.

Agreeing with this perspective, Dinh Thi Nhu Hoa, Head of Information Safety Testing at VNCERT/CC, identified five common online risks that negatively impact children.

Hoa pointed out that children can be exposed to inappropriate content, such as harmful websites or cyberbullying.

"If not addressed early, such content can severely affect their mental and physical health and behavior," Hoa warned.

Parents sharing their children’s images and personal information on social media also poses a major threat, potentially leading to breaches of their privacy and harmful consequences.

Excessive Internet usage by children introduces additional risks, including addiction to gaming, social media, and the Internet itself.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 70–80% of children aged 10–15 enjoy online gaming, with 10–15% exhibiting signs of gaming addiction.

Hoa also highlighted two other major threats from the Internet: online bullying and the risk of being lured, harassed, or deceived into participating in illegal activities.

During the workshop, Dang Vu Son noted that the “Program to Protect and Support Children for Safe and Creative Interaction in the Online Environment by 2025” has garnered strong participation from government agencies, organizations, and businesses.

However, gaps remain in the coordination and collaboration between stakeholders.

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Experts agree that joint efforts from domestic and international organizations and businesses are crucial to protecting children online. (Illustrative Photo: D.V)

VNISA pledged to work closely with government agencies and other organizations to implement initiatives to protect children online. Son emphasized:

"Collaboration and cooperation are the keys to addressing challenges and improving the effectiveness of protecting children in the online environment."

Highlighting a notable initiative, Ngo Tuan Anh, Chairman of the Vietnam Children’s Protection Club in Cyberspace, introduced the TCCS:03 VNISA standard issued in June 2024. This standard contributes to the development of a protective ecosystem for children and encourages broader participation in safeguarding them online.

Lien advocated a child-centered approach, noting that children are not only users but also content creators online. They can be both victims and perpetrators of harm. Children can act as both targets and partners in implementing protective measures.

Based on this perspective, she recommended measures including:

Raising children’s awareness, skills, and responsibility online.
Promoting a positive Internet culture among youth.
Supporting children who display harmful behavior.
Enhancing children’s ability to adapt to technological changes.
Including children’s voices in the development of educational programs, services, and policies.
 

Van Anh