Vietnam may ban children under 16 years old from posting, commenting or reacting to posts on social media as the country looks to join other governments tightening online protections for minors.
Children under 16 would be required to have their social media accounts registered by a parent or legal guardian responsible for monitoring the content they view and their screen time, according to a draft decree from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Social media platforms would be ordered to deploy measures to identify child users and ensure they are exposed only to age-appropriate content.
The proposal comes as governments worldwide tighten restrictions on children’s use of social media on growing concerns about harmful content and online safety. France on July 22 approved a ban on new social media accounts for kids under 15, while Malaysia now requires social media users to verify their age.
"The primary goal is not to ban or overly restrict children from social media but to ensure that when they use these platforms, they are in age-appropriate spaces and protected from harmful risks,” deputy culture minister Phan Tam said in a meeting on July 23.
The draft also requires platforms to cooperate with authorities by establishing reporting mechanisms and providing information if child abuse or exploitation is detected. Social media companies would also have to apply the highest level of privacy protection to child accounts, while blocking children from accessing content related to violence, pornography, gambling, drugs, suicide and other harmful material.
Vietnam is also mulling tighter restrictions on online gaming for minors. Under the draft rules, children would be required to have their accounts registered by their parent or legal guardian, while game operators must limit playtime to no more than 60 minutes a day. – Bloomberg
Those suffering from problems can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service at 03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392; Talian Kasih at 15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp; Jakim’s (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) family, social and community care centre at 0111-959 8214 on WhatsApp; and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur at 03-7627 2929 or go to befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers nationwide and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.
