Working together to create a healthy digital environment.

Recognizing the dangers in cyberspace, many families, schools, and relevant agencies are proactively taking action through specific and practical methods. Protecting children is not just about warning them, but also requires support, equipping them with skills, and creating a safe online environment.

The Da Nang City Police regularly conduct awareness campaigns to equip students with skills for safe internet and social media use. Photo: NGOC QUOC

Parents protect children in the digital world .

The family is considered the first line of defense, playing a crucial role in shaping children's internet usage habits and preventing risks in the digital environment. In reality, many negative consequences arise from children's uncontrolled internet use. Notably, most of these risks stem from parents giving their children smart devices without adequate supervision and guidance.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tinh (Hai Chau ward) bought a phone for his son, who is in junior high school, to help with his studies and communication. Initially, he only reminded his son to use it reasonably, but didn't set any specific rules. Later, he noticed that his son frequently stayed up late, his academic performance declined, and he became easily irritable when reminded of his responsibilities.

“Instead of banning it, I chose to sit down and talk with my child, finding out what they were watching and playing online. The family agreed on rules regarding screen time, prohibiting phones in the bedroom, and prioritizing internet use for learning. I helped my child set up content control settings and taught them how to identify harmful and fake news. Thanks to this approach, my child gradually developed the habit of using the internet responsibly and learned to regulate their own behavior,” Mr. Tinh shared.

Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh (Hoa Vang commune) chose to closely support her elementary school-aged daughter. Noticing her daughter's early exposure to mobile phones, she proactively researched the apps and social media platforms her daughter frequently used. Every evening, she spends time sitting with her daughter, watching and discussing the content she has just accessed.

"I don't forbid my children from using the internet, but I guide them to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate content. Our family limits phone use during meals, encourages reading, and promotes sports to reduce screen time. I teach them not to share personal information, not to befriend strangers, and to immediately report any unusual situations to an adult," Ms. Binh said.

Community working together

Besides the role of the family, the involvement of authorities is crucial in creating a safe online environment for children. Nguyen Ba Duan, Deputy Secretary of the City Youth Union and President of the City Youth Federation, stated that the City Youth Union has implemented numerous solutions to support and protect children in cyberspace. The focus is on education and equipping young people with digital skills.

Protecting children's safety online requires the collective effort of the community. Photo: NGOC QUOC

Youth Union branches at all levels organize forums and thematic activities in schools and residential areas to help children identify harmful and toxic information and fraudulent behavior on social media. The City Youth Union coordinates with the police force and the education sector to train skills in safe internet use and civilized behavior in the digital environment. In addition, digital skills clubs and youth volunteer teams are promoted to spread positive messages and build healthy content on social media.

Meanwhile, the Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department of the Da Nang City Police launched the campaign "Not Alone - Together We Are Safe Online." The campaign aims to raise awareness and equip children with self-protection skills against the risks of abuse, fraud, and violence in cyberspace, while also mobilizing the support of schools, families, and society in protecting children.

A highlight was the launch of the infographic design campaign and competition at Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted, creating a strong ripple effect among students, teachers, and the community. The city police also coordinated direct awareness campaigns at more than 80 schools, attracting nearly 40,000 students, teachers, and parents to participate.

At the grassroots level, the police force integrated community outreach and widely disseminated information on social media. On the internet, the campaign spread across more than 150 pages and channels, creating a positive media impact. This raised awareness and self-protection skills among children, contributing to the prevention of abuse, fraud, and violence.

The Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department stated that students now have access to social media at a very young age, while their ability to distinguish right from wrong, good from bad, is limited. This is a weakness that hostile forces and malicious elements exploit in cyberspace to influence and distort perceptions, gradually luring children into following erroneous views and ideologies. In this context, Vietnam's participation in and promotion of the Hanoi Convention on Cybercrime demonstrates its determination to work with the international community to build a safe and healthy cyberspace, protecting users, especially vulnerable groups such as teenagers and children.

A representative from the Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department stated: “In the coming period, we will direct our reporters to coordinate with schools to raise awareness and help students identify risks and prevent online dangers. In addition, we will strengthen operational measures and proactively inspect and monitor cyberspace to promptly detect and prevent violations related to children. The focus will be on reviewing and handling accounts and groups that disseminate harmful and toxic content, as well as fraudulent and abusive behavior against children in the digital environment. This will contribute to maintaining cybersecurity and minimizing negative impacts on children.”

Source: https://baodanang.vn/chung-tay-kien-tao-moi-truong-so-lanh-manh-3325702.html