National Highway 111, a timely call can save a child's future

As criminals become more sophisticated, have cross-border elements and take advantage of the digital environment, the role of this link becomes more and more central.

When people's information becomes a protective act

From just one call, the National Children's Protection Phone Station (close Station 111) can activate an entire interdisciplinary process: risk assessment, safety consultation for children, and information transfer to the police, health sector or local authorities for timely intervention.

According to Mr. Nguyen Cong Hieu, Director of the Center for Consulting and Communications Services (Department of Mothers and Children, Ministry of Health), all information related to abused, bought and sold, and exploited children is handled according to the standard process of Call Center 111, ensuring consistency and security.

The process includes the following steps: Receiving - initial assessment - determining intervention needs - coordinating implementation - monitoring and evaluating after intervention. For cases showing signs of threatening the lives and health of young people, Call Center 111 immediately transferred them to the authorities for emergency protection.

In reality, many cases are prevented by just asking relatives or people to promptly call the number 111. There were cases where families discovered their children being lured to work illegally in neighboring countries, and provided brokerage messages to the Center, thereby, information was quickly sent to the police and border guards, helping to prevent in time, and bring the children back safely.

Digital environment - a new "gateway" to risks

In addition to traditional forms of shopping, the Internet and social networks are becoming a space with many new potential risks for children.

Sharing at a seminar organized by Hotline 111, Mr. Do Duong Hien - representative of ChildFund Vietnam said that more than 90% of Vietnamese children aged 12 and over use the Internet every day, many of whom have an average of over 7 hours of online time per day.

According to Mr. Hien, there is still a lack of complete data on the use of the Internet by children under 12 years old, because social networking platforms set age requirements. However, in reality, Vietnamese children access the Internet very early, through smartphones, tablets and popular platforms such as YouTube, TikTok - mostly with the permission of parents.

Early access, while children lack self-defense skills and their families do not have appropriate control tools, increases the risk, especially the risk of being lured and enticed, said Mr. Hien.

In that context, hotline 111 not only receives incidents that have occurred, but is also a channel for families, schools and children to report early when detecting unusual signs in the online environment.

filling the "space" of awareness

Although it has been in operation for over 21 years, with more than 6 million calls received, the rate of people knowing and using Call Center 111 is still not commensurate with actual needs. Many parents, students and even schools do not consider Center 111 as a proactive protection tool.

According to experts, promoting communication, bringing the number 111 closer to the community, especially children and vulnerable groups, is of decisive significance in preventing the buying and selling and exploitation of children's labor.

In the child protection system, Year Office 111 is not just a number. That is the connection between people's vigilance and timely action by authorities. A call at the right time can change a child's life.