Hanoi (VNS/VNA) ꦅ- The Ministry of Information and Communications has issued a Code of Conduct to better protect children online.

The Code on Child Protection in the Internet Environment aims to establish standards of language and behaviour for internet users and promote a safe, healthy and civilised cyber environment. It will contribute to protecting and supporting children to interact healthily and creatively in the online environment, as well as raise social awareness of the risks that children face when in cyberspace. The code emphasises the role and responsibility of parents, caregivers, teachers and all of society in working together to protect children in the online environment, report harmful content and acts of child abuse to the authorities. The code applies to five groups of people: parents, caregivers and teachers, internet users, the media, businesses and content creators, internet and platform providers, and then children themselves. The general code, applied to all groups, includes complying with Vietnamese laws on child protection in the online environment, respecting the rights and legitimate interests of children and always looking out for the best interests of children. People must behave in a healthy, positive manner in the online environment, in accordance with Vietnamese culture, customs and traditions and appropriate to the age of children. They must not use images and personal information of children without the consent of children, parents and caregivers as prescribed by laws, or use the children’s images and personal information for purposes that may affect their safety and healthy development. The people should actively coordinate with agencies, community and social organisations to protect children in the online environment. When suspecting or detecting acts of child abuse, risks to children on the internet, or harmful content for children, it is necessary to promptly report the issue. This can be on the national hotline for child protection 111, to the nearest police agency, to the network for response and protection of children on the internet at //vn-cop.vn/bao-cao-xam-pham or by email bvte@vncert.vn. As for children themselves, the rules are that they need to learn about the risks in the online environment and take measures to ensure safety when participating in online activities via computers, mobile phones and tablets. They must be careful and alert when searching for information on the internet. The children should communicate, behave positively and have a respectful attitude towards others online and get consent from parents, caregivers before connecting with strangers online. They should share with adults about relationships, difficulties and troubles they encounter online, bravely report and denounce to the authorities when encountering or discovering acts of child abuse, risks to children on the internet, or content which is harmful to children. The children must not access, use and share harmful information and content, content of unclear origin, do not participate in or imitate useless and unhealthy content on the internet. They should be careful and responsible when sharing, providing personal information and images about themselves or anyone else on the internet, do not participate in factions, attacks, impersonations, bullying, or humiliation of friends or other children. Codes of conduct for parents, caregivers and teachers include respecting children's personal freedom in the online environment; caring for and listening to their opinions and regularly communicating with them to understand their needs and interests when participating in online activities. Adults must update information on risks to children in the online environment and supply the knowledge, skills and tools to protect them. They should pay attention, support, accompany and guide children to prevent risks and ensure safety on the cyber space, monitor and manage the content children access, post and share on the online environment. They should also pay attention to unusual changes in children, encourage and help children when they encounter difficulties, problems, are bullied or abused online. The adults must actively participate in activities to protect children online at home, school, community and society, guide children to report to the authorities when detecting acts of child abuse, risks to children online and harmful content. Content on child protection in the online environment should be inserted into the teaching and guidance process for children. The code took effect on January 21./.