Canadian Ambassador sends 3 cyber safety messages to Vietnamese youth

Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel. (Photo: Thu Trang)

In an interview on the sidelines of the launch ceremony of the ThinkB4UClick program, organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel sent a message to young people, encouraging them to play a pioneering role in preventing online fraud.

How does the ambassador assess the importance of enhancing the digital literacy of young people so that they can protect themselves in today's technological age?

I believe that it is extremely important for teenagers to use cyberspace properly. This is more urgent than ever because, in the current context, cyberspace and the online world are becoming a complex and challenging environment, where misinformation, scams, "online kidnapping," and the potential for human trafficking are prevalent.

Therefore, it is essential for today's youth to be able to navigate the online environment, think critically, identify risk signs, and take appropriate action.

Why did the Canadian Embassy choose to collaborate with IOM on the ThinkB4UClick initiative to enhance critical thinking and improve online resilience among young people?

Canada is delighted to partner with IOM in Vietnam on this special initiative. This is an opportunity to train digital literacy and build preventative capabilities for young people, helping them protect themselves from online scams, cyberbullying, or other forms of abuse that occur in the digital environment.

Canada's support for the ThinkB4UClick initiative reflects our belief in the pioneering role of youth in preventing online fraud. Through this program, young people not only learn to identify and respond to online risks, but also become digital change creators, using their voices and creativity to promote safe migration and build a healthier online community.

Đại sứ Canada gửi 3 thông điệp tới thanh niên Việt Nam

Canada's support for the ThinkB4UClick initiative demonstrates our belief in the pioneering role of young people in preventing online fraud. (Source: IOM)

On this occasion, what message does the Ambassador wish to send to young people to help them become more aware of their online safety?

I have three messages I want to send to Vietnamese youth:

First , be alert and cautious. Not everything you see online is true. There is a lot of misinformation, traps, and scams online. So, think carefully before clicking, assess the credibility of the information, its source, and use critical thinking to analyze all information online.

Secondly , protect yourself and others. Your online presence is extremely important. Don't let your digital information be exploited. Be careful to protect your personal information because it is easily exploited and misused by malicious actors. Furthermore, protect the privacy and dignity of others. Do not share anyone's information without their permission. It is crucial to protect your own personal information and that of everyone around you.

Third, use your voice online for good. You can become a positive influencer, you can help the community, you can create positive change, you can bring hope for the future and spread goodness in life. Therefore, I hope you will all take action to utilize online space to develop your abilities and contribute to building a digital ecosystem that protects the dignity, rights, and opportunities of all.

Vietnam recently hosted the signing ceremony and high-level conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime ( Hanoi Convention). Ambassador, could you share your thoughts on this event?

Combating cybercrime requires international cooperation and a global effort, and Vietnam has successfully joined this effort by hosting the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime. This is a crucial pillar in the international arena for maintaining a rules-based international order.

For Canada, as well as all the partners participating in this Convention, one of our priorities is addressing cybercrime – a pressing issue affecting communities and vulnerable people around the world.

This is not just an international or national issue, but also concerns the rights of every individual. Human rights and dignity are being severely violated by cybercrime: people are being trafficked, others are being scammed... And often the victims are the most vulnerable in society, especially teenagers, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and those who lack the digital skills to protect themselves.

Therefore, I think the Signing Ceremony and Summit of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime will be significant. The fact that Vietnam is hosting this event brings about extremely useful international cooperation in combating cybercrime, so that people are no longer scammed, bullied online, exposed to misinformation, and exploited online.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

“Digital literacy is no longer a privilege, it’s a shield. With over 50% of human trafficking cases now taking place online, equipping young people with the skills to ‘think before you click’ will create a fine line between safety and exploitation.” (Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel)