UNICEF welcomes the Government of Viet Nam’s approval of the first-ever national program on child online protection for 2021-2025, which aims to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse on the internet and support them to have safe and healthy online interactions.

UNICEF Representative to Viet Nam Rana Flowers

Recently, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has approved program to protect and support children to interact in cyber environment in heathy and creative manner in the 2021-2025 period.

This is the first national-level program on children protection in cyber environment. The program targets to protect personal information and secrets of children when they get access to information and take part in online activities.

It also aims to prevent and handle actions using the cyber network to carry out prohibited activities against children in any form as regulated by the laws.

The new national program takes into consideration the need to balance addressing risks for children with the promise that digital access is a game changer for children – connecting them to creative ways to learn, to problem solve, to build their understanding and providing them with the skills they need to succeed in a digital world, said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative to Viet Nam.

A recent survey by UNICEF indicates that one in five children and adolescents in Viet Nam have been victim of cyberbullying and harassment from peers, yet, three quarters are not aware where to seek help. 

Under this new program, the Government of Viet Nam will work hand in hand with the ICT industry to keep up with the pace of change and to protect children from the new risks and harms they are exposed to and ensure that the Internet stays safe for children. Private sector and civil society organizations are encouraged to bring in different expertise, experiences, understandings, solutions and opportunities to protect children online, according to the UNICEF

The program also aims to empower children and young people, as the central part of the solutions, to take advantage of the great opportunities the digital world offers, and equip them with knowledge and skills to self-identify and be able to protect themselves when online. 

The program sees a key role for parents, care givers and teachers in providing guidance and support to young persons for safe and healthy online interactions, stated the UNICEF, adding that with this program, the Government is committed to develop laws, policies, practices and products that can help children harness digital opportunities and protect them from harm.