Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Justice, in coordination with the European Union (EU) and UNICEF Vietnam, held a policy dialogue in Hanoi on August 21, under the theme “Child protection in the digital environment: Legal frameworks and practice of implementation.”
The event was organised under the EU Justice and Legal Empowerment Programme, Phase II (EU JULE II).
Digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly transforming all aspects of social life, creating unprecedented opportunities for children in learning, creativity, communication and social participation. At the same time, children face growing risks, including cyberbullying, harmful content, online grooming and manipulation, sexual exploitation, scams, personal data violations, and new forms of abuse involving generative AI and deepfake technology.
The discussion provided a platform to assess the current legal framework and enforcement practices, identify gaps and challenges arising from rapid technological development, particularly AI, and propose solutions to improve legislation and enforcement. It also sought to strengthen coordination among State agencies, technology businesses, families, schools and society to ensure children’s rights and best interests.
Addressing the event, Minister of Justice Hoang Thanh Tung stressed that protecting children online was no longer merely a theoretical warning nor the responsibility of individual or group of organisations, but an urgent national and global imperative requiring strong engagement from State agencies and society as a whole.
Vietnam has consistently regarded children as the future of the nation and prioritised their protection, care and comprehensive development. Its legal framework has been increasingly strengthened, covering areas ranging from child protection and criminal law to cybersecurity, personal data protection and Internet services.
The Prime Minister has also approved a programme on protecting and supporting children’s development in the online environment for 2026-2030. The programme aims to both strengthen child protection and promote healthy development and digital capacity, with greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention.
Vietnam has also joined a number of international treaties on child protection and hosted the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, known as the Hanoi Convention, which establishes a global legal framework for combating cybercrime, including online child sexual exploitation.
However, Tung said the legal framework, though relatively comprehensive, still needs further review and refinement to ensure consistency, address practical requirements and fulfil relevant international commitments. Law enforcement also needs to become more effective and substantive.
EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier affirmed every child has the right to safety, dignity, privacy, participation, development, and access to justice. In the digital environment, these rights must be upheld just as firmly as in the offline world.
“We are committed to supporting efforts that strengthen the justice sector, uphold child rights, and build a safer digital environment for every child,” he said.
UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Silvia Danailov said "digital technologies are transforming children’s lives, creating new opportunities while also exposing them to risks such as cyberbullying, online exploitation and privacy violations. Every child has the right to participate in the digital world safely. UNICEF remains committed to supporting Vietnam in advancing laws and policies that protect children’s rights in the digital age."
At the dialogue, participants discussed legal reforms, the responsibilities of digital platforms and technology companies, children’s personal data protection, online abuse settlement, electronic evidence, child-friendly justice, inter-agency coordination and international cooperation.
The Ministry of Justice expressed its readiness to continue working with Vietnamese agencies, organisations and international partners, including the EU and UNICEF, to build a safe, healthy and child-friendly digital environment where children’s rights and best interests are effectively protected./.
VNA
