The Illusion of Power in the Cyber ​​World - Part 3: Fame Must Go Hand in Hand with Responsibility

Today’s cyberspace is not only a place for communication or information sharing, but has become a “power stage” for influential people, where each post and each statement can create a wave of profound social impact. But the more people follow, the more responsibility reputation requires. Because real power does not lie in likes or followers, but in the awareness of using influence to spread good, beautiful and useful things to the community.

In the age of social networks, personal image is no longer a private story of a person, but has become a common "property" - where the public places their trust and emotions. A KOL with a positive, professional image can inspire and arouse the desire to live beautifully and do good deeds, especially among young people - the group most susceptible to the impact of social networks. On the contrary, an uncontrolled statement or an unstandard incident can cause trust to collapse in the blink of an eye. Reputation then ceases to be a value but becomes a burden, leaving negative aftershocks for the entire community.

On the morning of September 2, 2025, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, the moment singer My Tam, in a simple white ao dai, put her hand on her left chest and sang the national anthem in the autumn sky of Hanoi , moved millions of people. Without any tricks or elaborate makeup, the "brown-haired nightingale" let her voice and emotions speak for themselves. For more than 25 years on stage, she has never relied on noise to maintain her halo. It is this professionalism, standards and sincerity that have created a beautiful and lasting image of My Tam in the hearts of the public. Maintaining a positive personal image is not only about protecting yourself but also about protecting social trust. Because when the image of an influential person is distorted, the consequences are not only about the loss of personal reputation but also about cultural consequences and life values ​​in the community.

Image of singer My Tam singing at historic Ba Dinh Square, morning of September 2

Artists participate in a parade on the streets of Hanoi during the A80 event.

KOLs are first and foremost citizens, so they are all equal before the law. Recently, a series of violations by KOLs in the fields of advertising, business and online speaking have sounded the alarm about the lack of standards in behavior. One typical example is the case of Hoang Huong, who was once known by the nickname "livestream queen". In October 2025, Hoang Huong was prosecuted by the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Department for "violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences". From a symbol of dynamism on social networks, Hoang Huong has become a typical example of the trade-off between personal interests and social responsibility.

The law is not a barrier, but a fence to protect fairness and trust. When KOLs advertise falsely, trade in counterfeit goods or evade taxes, the consequences are not only economic losses but also erode trust in social order. Therefore, along with their popularity, KOLs must voluntarily comply with all legal obligations, from declaring income tax, verifying advertising information to protecting content copyright. More importantly, they need to publicly and transparently disclose financial relationships with brands to affirm their professional integrity. Only when they respect the law can KOLs' reputation have a sustainable foundation. Only when they take responsibility for their actions can KOLs' influence become a positive resource for the community and society.

The strength of KOLs lies not only in their ability to create trends but also in preserving and spreading Vietnamese cultural values ​​in the flow of integration. In the era of globalization, when deviant lifestyles, offensive language or anti-cultural images easily spread, preserving traditional customs becomes more urgent than ever. Many KOLs have chosen the right path - beautifying the country's image through each frame and each word. Travel blogger Tran Dang Dang Khoa, who travels all over the country, has brought to the public proud films and stories about festivals, people and customs of Vietnam. For him, each trip is not only a journey of discovery but also a journey to preserve national cultural identity.

Many KOLs travel across the country, beautifying the country's image.

On the contrary, there are also many cases where people choose to become famous through offensive tricks, regardless of traditional moral and cultural values. In these cases, the "temperature of public opinion" increases rapidly, but social values ​​decrease. Therefore, preserving traditional customs is never out of date, but is a necessary "filter" for Vietnamese people to integrate without dissolving, spreading the soft power of Vietnamese culture on the internet.

In the virtual world, every statement leaves a real trace. Fame can come from thousands of followers, but prestige is only affirmed by responsibility. KOLs are not only content creators, but also people who guide public opinion, contribute to protecting the Party's ideological foundation, preserve national cultural identity and strengthen belief in the values ​​of truth, goodness and beauty. When fame comes with responsibility, influence becomes strength. When each influential person knows how to choose to spread good things, that is true power in today's online world.

A "defense line" in cyberspace

Today’s cyberspace is a new front in the struggle to protect ideology, culture and beliefs. When fake news, toxic content, distorted and false arguments are everywhere, each KOL has the responsibility to become an “information warrior”, who contributes to maintaining purity in the digital space.

Promoting safe and civilized use of social networks: an important way to overcome pitfalls

On August 18, 2025, the Conference “KOL with the era of national growth” organized by the National Cyber ​​Security Association in coordination with the Department of Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05, Ministry of Public Security) marked the first step in the formation of the Digital Trust Alliance (DTA). This network brings together KOLs, businesses, press agencies and social organizations to create a safe, transparent and humane digital environment, a “soft defense line” of Vietnamese trust.

Recently, on October 24, 2025, the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 69-CV/BTGDVTU requesting guidance and rectification of cultural and artistic activities that show signs of deviation. This move shows the city's determination to build a healthy online cultural environment, considering KOLs as companions, not antagonists.

To promote the role of "digital frontline", dialogues between management agencies, cultural experts, propaganda officers and the content creation community should be organized regularly. When listened to, oriented and accompanied, KOLs will better understand their responsibilities, turning personal influence into a source of positive social energy. KOLs, with their strong influence on cyberspace, not only build personal images but also shape the awareness, culture and ideology of society, especially the youth. Their responsibilities do not stop at maintaining a professional image but also include complying with the law, protecting traditional customs, spreading national cultural values ​​and contributing to protecting the Party's ideological foundation, refuting deviant and erroneous views. Only when fully aware of their responsibilities, KOLs can truly become pioneers, contributing to building a healthy, civilized online environment and strengthening trust in the good values ​​of Vietnamese society. KOLs, with their strong influence on cyberspace, not only build personal images but also shape the awareness, culture and ideology of society, especially the youth. Their responsibilities do not stop at maintaining a professional image but also include complying with the law, protecting traditional customs, spreading national cultural values ​​and contributing to protecting the Party's ideological foundation, refuting wrong views. Only when fully aware of their responsibilities, KOLs can truly become pioneers, contributing to building a healthy, civilized online environment and strengthening trust in the good values ​​of Vietnamese society.

VIET LAM - DIEP HANG - AN BINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ao-vong-quyen-luc-trong-the-gioi-mang-bai-3-danh-tieng-phai-di-doi-voi-trach-nhiem-post820723.html