Dangers present behind the screen
Data from UNICEF in 2017 shows that one in three internet users is a child, of which more than 70% of children aged 12-17 use social networks daily.
In Vietnam, a UNICEF survey in 2022 showed that 82% of children aged 12-13 and 93% of children aged 14-15 use the internet every day. About 95% of children of this age group own smartphones and spend an average of 3-4 hours a day on online platforms such as Zalo, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube. The situation of children being "addicted to electronic devices", "addicted to social networks" is increasing.
The breakthrough development of science and technology also creates... "opportunities" for the criminal realm itself, as scams targeting children in cyberspace are becoming increasingly sophisticated and unpredictable.
The number of cybercriminals is increasing, applying sophisticated science and technology with many forms of approaching dangerous children. Meanwhile, children and teenagers are weak, have weak reactions, are gullible, and easily fall into the trap of cybercriminals.
In 2024, Vietnam recorded 381 cases of sexual abuse via the internet, mainly stemming from exploiting personal information on Facebook and Zalo.
In 2025, cross-border manipulation and abuse cases via TikTok and Instagram increased by more than 30% compared to 2024, and many subjects also use AI to personalize content to lure and manipulate victims' psychology.
Digital space opens up many opportunities for connection, but also makes children easily exposed to harmful, violent, offensive or untrue content. Many children become victims of online bullying and harassment, and even be exploited by bad guys to defraud and appropriate property.
The urgency of protecting children in the digital space
The Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05), Ministry of Public Security has coordinated with many ministries, branches, organizations and businesses to implement many campaigns to raise awareness about cybersecurity for children.
Prominent is the campaign "Online Fraud Prevention - Slow but sure", widely spreading the 3C safety formula including: Slow to verify, Block to prevent, Block to protect the community, helping families and children identify and prevent online scams.
In addition, the "Not Alone" campaign and many thematic seminars on digital security and personal financial protection have contributed to equipping young people and students with knowledge and skills to protect personal data and behave safely in the online environment.
The "Not Alone" campaign goes to each school to organize many events to propagate, supplement skills, and identify fraud for children.
Not only helping children be safe when using the Internet, the program also aims to develop digital skills, creative thinking, mental health and integration skills in the digital age.
UNICEF Deputy Representative in Vietnam - Ms. Michaela Bauer - shared: "To protect children in the digital environment, the joint efforts of many agencies and departments are needed. We need to connect, to both equip children with knowledge and prevent potential risks, dangers in the digital space. We need to consider safety for children as a great responsibility of the whole society, from families, schools, technology businesses, technology platforms and specialized functional agencies".
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga - Deputy Director of the Department of Mothers and Children (Ministry of Health), in addition to perfecting protection mechanisms, it is necessary to develop many safe digital products and content suitable for children, and at the same time strengthen digital skills and civilized behavior skills in the online environment for children.
When fully equipped with knowledge and skills, they will confidently participate in the online environment in a safe, healthy and creative way" - Ms. Nga said.
Parents play the role of the first "shield" to help children form the habit of using the internet safely. Schools need to strengthen digital skills and self-protection skills. Technology platforms must enhance responsibility in controlling content and building a healthy network environment.
