While visiting her two daughters' families in Dinh Cong (Hanoi), Mrs. Pham Thi Phuong, a retired elementary school teacher from Hai Phong, saw her four grandchildren huddled together playing on their phones; they weren't talking, exercising, or helping with household chores. She sighed and lamented, "If you let the children spend all their time glued to their phones like this, it will ruin their eyesight and their health!"
In this age of technological explosion, children's childhoods are no longer associated with kites or traditional games, but are gradually retreating behind cold, bright screens. The internet opens up a vast, colorful, and fascinating world , but it also hides countless unpredictable pitfalls...
In Vietnam, as in many other countries, parents have strongly voiced their concerns about the negative impacts of social media and the internet on young children, including screen addiction, access to harmful content, cyberbullying, and the risk of abuse. Many families are calling on authorities to control content and limit screen time to protect their children's mental health, cognitive development, and overall well-being.
When the digital world becomes a double-edged sword.
It is undeniable that the online environment is having an increasingly profound impact on children's lives. According to numerous studies, children spend an average of 3-5 hours a day using the internet, primarily for entertainment. This makes them easily exposed to inappropriate content such as violence, negative language, or misinformation. In many cases, children imitate dangerous behaviors from "challenge" videos circulating online, leading to unfortunate consequences. Furthermore, online bullying is also on the rise: many children are insulted and ridiculed on social media, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem.
Some surveys also show that excessive internet use can reduce concentration and affect children's academic performance. This reality shows that, without timely guidance, the online environment can become a "double-edged sword," silently and negatively impacting the holistic development of children. This has caused many families to worry and continuously raise their concerns at forums and conferences, because children who overuse the internet are easily and silently harmed.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee's five-year preliminary report on the implementation of Decision No. 830/QD-TTg dated June 1, 2021, of the Prime Minister (Program "Protecting and supporting children's healthy and creative interaction in the online environment, 2021-2025"), there are approximately 2.6 million children (under 16 years old) in the city, accounting for 18.6% of the population. The percentage of households with internet access reaches 96%. Notably, 89% of children aged 10-15 regularly use the internet, and 87% of children aged 12-17 access the internet for an average of 5-7 hours per day.
According to Colonel Nguyen Hong Quan, Deputy Director of the Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department (Ministry of Public Security), the protection of children in cyberspace has received attention from the Party and the State, the joint efforts of the entire society, and support from the international community. The legal framework has been continuously improved; the application of science and technology and digital transformation in cybersecurity management has been promoted, creating conditions for implementation on a national scale.
However, many challenges remain, such as: the rapid development of the Internet, the large number of users, and disparities between regions; the emergence of new technologies and applications that outpace management efforts, increasing sophisticated risks; and a shortage of specialized personnel. In light of this reality, he proposed several solutions, including: enhancing "internal prevention" and "active immunity" for children; further improving the legal framework; strengthening the capacity of specialized personnel; and increasing international cooperation.
One of the most obvious negative impacts is children's easy access to inappropriate content. The internet is full of diverse information, including violent, pornographic, or provocative and misleading content. Because children lack the ability to clearly distinguish right from wrong, they are easily influenced by this content. Frequent exposure can distort perceptions, form misguided thoughts, and affect psychological development. Violent games or videos can also make children aggressive, irritable, or prone to imitating unhealthy behaviors.
Furthermore, the online environment can lead to children becoming dependent on electronic devices. Many children spend too much time on phones, tablets, or computers playing games, watching videos, or browsing social media. This not only affects their physical health (such as reduced eyesight and sleep disorders) but also impairs their social communication skills. Children participate less in outdoor activities and have less direct interaction with family and friends, leading to a risk of isolation and a lack of essential life skills.
Another worrying issue is the risk of online fraud or abuse. Malicious actors can impersonate friends or acquaintances to approach children, tricking them into providing personal information or engaging in dangerous activities. Due to their lack of experience and gullibility, children are easily becoming victims. Sharing personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, or private photos can lead to unpredictable consequences.
Protecting and guiding children in the online environment.
Excessive exposure to social media can also negatively impact children's psychological and personality development. Children easily become caught up in comparing themselves to others and chasing after "perfect" images online. This can lead to low self-esteem, dissatisfaction, and a gradual loss of personal value. Furthermore, the pursuit of likes and views can cause children to act impulsively, even engaging in dangerous or offensive behaviors simply to attract attention. The fast-paced, engaging entertainment content online also makes it difficult for children to maintain patience during activities requiring high concentration, such as reading or homework; over time, this affects their academic performance and intellectual development.
However, it's important to recognize that the internet isn't entirely bad; the problem lies in how it's used and managed. To mitigate negative impacts, families and schools play a crucial role. Parents need to monitor and guide their children in using the internet safely and appropriately. Setting time limits, selecting suitable content, and maintaining open communication will help children develop better awareness. Furthermore, schools need to strengthen digital literacy education, helping children learn how to protect themselves online.
Furthermore, children themselves need to be equipped with self-awareness and behavioral control skills. They need to understand that not all information online is true and that they should not trust strangers. Building healthy online habits, balancing learning, entertainment, and physical activity, is essential for holistic development.
It can be affirmed that the online environment offers many opportunities but also harbors numerous risks for children. Negative influences such as exposure to harmful content, internet addiction, bullying, fraud, or a decline in life skills can all have long-lasting consequences. Therefore, close cooperation between families, schools, and society is necessary to guide and protect children. Only when equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills can children utilize the benefits of the internet safely and effectively.
The online environment isn't inherently bad, but how people use it can create unpredictable consequences, especially for children. Protecting children isn't about prohibition, but about companionship, understanding, and timely guidance. When adults are sufficiently attentive and children are equipped with the necessary skills, the online world will no longer be a source of worry, but a tool to help them develop safely, healthily, and fully.
To protect and promote the healthy and positive development of children in the online environment, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 468/QD-TTg dated March 23, 2026, approving the Program "Protecting and Supporting Children's Development in the Online Environment giai đoạn 2026-2030".
The program aims for a "dual objective": to both strengthen child protection and support and promote their positive development, enhance their digital skills in the context of national digital transformation, and contribute to the formation of a new generation of "digital citizens" in Vietnam.
The program focuses on building and strengthening key pillars: perfecting the legal system on cybersecurity and child protection; implementing a communication and education strategy to raise awareness uniformly and consistently nationwide; popularizing technological solutions to support the management of children's activities, while providing tools for digital skills education, counseling, and smart support; enhancing the capacity of inter-sectoral forces in a modern and effective manner; and especially strengthening children's "proactive immunity" through education on online safety knowledge and skills.
During the period 2026-2030, the Program sets the following goals: 100% of general education institutions will implement cybersecurity solutions; 100% of internet access service providers in Vietnam will integrate solutions to block harmful information transmitted over the internet; 100% of provinces and centrally-governed cities will implement technological solutions to support digital skills education and counseling for children. Simultaneously, it will ensure that 100% of children who are victims of online abuse receive timely support and intervention when requested by themselves, their families, or the community.