Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) in coordination with the Embassy of Israel in Vietnam on July 20 organised a conference that aims to exchange exemplary cases of combating cyberbullying and innovative approaches to raise people’s awareness about the issue.

According to Luu Quang Tuan, Director of the Department of International Cooperation under MOLIA, as of September 2022, Vietnam was the country with the 12th highest number of Internet users worldwide and sixth out of the 35 countries and territories in Asia with about 70 million people, accounting for about 70% of its population.

Vietnam𓄧ese users spend an average of nearly seven hours a day participating in Internet-related activities and using social platforms. This puts users, especially children and teenagers, at risk of cyberbullying.

Over the past time, Vietnam has always made great efforts to protect vulnerable groups in the online environment. At the regional level, Vietnam has worked with ASEAN member states to develop and submit to ASEAN leaders important statements in this area such as the Declaration on Protection of Children from all Forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse in ASEAN in 2019 and the Declaration on the Elimination of bullying of Children in ASEAN adopted by the 38th ASEAN Leaders Summit in October 2021. The issue of bullying related to children and women in the cyber environment is one of the priorities of relevant ministries and sectors within the framework of the national initiative on digital transformation. Vietnam has built a legal system to protect children and women in the online environment, such as the 2016 Law on Children, Law on Information Technology 2006, and the 2018 Law on Cybersecurity and related legal documents. Noteworthy is the coordination regulations between the Ministry of Public Security, MOLISA and the Ministry of Information and Communications in receiving information, investigating, and handling child abuse and monitoring data related to online child sexual abuse. A report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed that 66% of the Vietnamese children are not aware of a helpline or service that they can turn to if they are being a victim of cyberbullying. Children aged 10-14 are the most vulnerable group. Cyberbullying can leave an impact on victims’ mental health, resulting in violent behaviour, decline in school performance, dropout of school, and even leading to suicidal thoughts in some youngsters. Microsoft's research in 2020 showed that out of every 10 Internet users in Vietnam, over five were involved in bullying behaviours. Of those surveyed, 21% stated that they were victims, and 38% had witnessed or experienced cyberbullying or harassment.

Addressing the conference, Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer said that the problem has serious psychological and physical consequences for victims, adding that it’s a good time to work together to take action against cyberbullying.

Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer speaks at the event. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Doron Herman, founder of the educational enterprise Safe School Analytics, shares with representatives from Vietnamese ministries and agencies measures and models that Israel is implementing to combat online harassment. Israel has also established an interdepartmental agency that operates a hotline, 105, to receive questions and reports from the public regarding cyberbullying behavior.

At the conference, Vietnamese and international experts from UNICEF, MOLISA, and UNICEF Vietnam Office presented a comprehensive overview of the cyberbullying situation, including its impact on children, the current situation in Vietnam, relevant policies and laws, and geꩲneral solutions to combat online bullying, thereby, making recommendations for this issue in the future.

Ha Thi Minh Duc, deputy director of the Department of International Cooperation said that besides accomplishing a legal framework, and enhancing knowledge and essential skills to use the Internet safely, it is necessary for Vietnam to deploy technical solutions and promote the roles and responsibilities of information technology enterprises and service providers./.