Identification to preserve digital culture

Beyond just technical solutions, this policy carries profound cultural and social significance, aiming to build a disciplined and humane digital environment, in line with the country's development requirements in the new era following the successful conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Party.

Today, cyberspace has become an integral part of cultural and social life. While previously, cultural activities primarily took place in physical spaces such as homes, schools, theaters, museums, or public squares, now a large part of people's spiritual lives unfolds on phone and computer screens. There, people converse, express emotions, share opinions, enjoy art, receive information, and participate in economic and social activities. In other words, cyberspace has become a "new cultural space."

But like any cultural space, the digital environment is not only bright but also has dark areas. With the explosion of social media and online platforms, deviant behaviors are becoming increasingly prevalent: fake news spreads rapidly, verbal violence is becoming common, personal honor and dignity are openly violated, online fraud is on the rise, and children are exposed to harmful content. A common thread among many of these negative phenomena is that they hide behind layers of "fake" accounts, "burner" SIM cards, and ambiguous identities that are difficult to trace.

It is in this context that Directive No. 57-CT/TW sets out the requirement to implement a national cyberspace identification and authentication system; unifying the identification of citizens with users of social networks, telecommunications subscribers, and Internet resources such as domain names and IP addresses.

At the same time, the directive emphasizes the resolute handling of "junk" SIM cards, "fake" accounts, anonymity, and the application of mandatory identity verification for social media users, along with age control mechanisms to protect children. On the surface, this is a story about technology and data management. But at a deeper level, it is a story about restoring and strengthening cultural norms in the digital environment.

Culture, ultimately, is a system of values, norms, and behaviors recognized by a community. When people enter the online space with an "anonymous" mindset, they easily abandon the ethical constraints inherent in real life. Anonymity creates a sense of "exemption from responsibility," making speech more likely to become extreme, uncontrolled, and even hurtful to others.

Linking each social media account to a verified identity is not intended to strip citizens of their freedom of expression, but rather to place that freedom within the framework of responsibility. Freedom never equates to arbitrariness. In real life, every word and action of a person is linked to their honor, dignity, and legal responsibility.

Cyberspace, if considered a part of social life, also needs to operate according to that principle. When identities are verified, each person will think more carefully before speaking, show more respect for others, and be more aware of the consequences of their actions.

From a national governance perspective, cyber identity and authentication are also fundamental to building a safe and reliable digital environment, a prerequisite for the development of the digital economy and digital cultural industry. E-commerce, online services, digital content creation, and cashless payments all require trust between stakeholders. When identity fraud, online scams, and property theft become widespread, social trust erodes, leading to hesitation in participating in digital economic activities.

From a cultural perspective, an unsafe online environment distorts spiritual life. When users are constantly exposed to fake news and harmful information, positive values are easily overwhelmed. Genuine artists and content creators can be harmed by anonymous smear campaigns. In this context, Directive 57 can be seen as a step towards "cleaning up" the digital cultural space, creating conditions for true, good, and beautiful values to spread more strongly.

One very humane aspect of Directive 57 is the requirement to apply age control mechanisms to protect children in cyberspace. Children today grow up in a digital environment where the Internet has become a familiar tool for learning, entertainment, and communication.

However, children are also the most vulnerable group to harmful content and online abuse. When digital platforms lack age verification mechanisms, children are easily exposed to content beyond their comprehension or become targets of manipulation and bullying. Combining identity verification with age controls demonstrates society's responsibility towards future generations.

This isn't just a technical solution, but a cultural choice: prioritizing the safety and healthy development of children. At the same time, it contributes to fostering responsible internet use from a young age. When children understand that each account is linked to a real person, and that every online action has consequences, they will soon develop civilized behavior in the digital environment.

Following the success of the 14th National Congress, the country entered a new stage of development requiring a close integration of economic growth, social progress, and cultural development.

Digital transformation is identified as one of the key drivers of development, but it cannot be separated from building a digital person and a digital culture. In this context, Directive 57 plays the role of an "institutional milestone" aimed at establishing discipline in cyberspace, which is increasingly having a profound influence on the spiritual life of society.

It can be said that identifying and verifying cyberspace is a necessary step to shift from a "passive management" mindset to an "active governance" mindset in the digital environment. Instead of waiting for serious social consequences to occur, this policy reflects a preventative approach, centered on people and based on culture.

When cyberspace is "illuminated" by genuine identity and real responsibility, it will become a favorable environment for spreading knowledge, creativity, and the nation's positive values.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/dinh-danh-de-giu-gin-van-hoa-so-202625.html