Canadian Ambassador's 3 messages for cyber safety of Vietnamese youth

Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam Jim Nickel. (Photo: Thu Trang)

In an interview on the occasion of the ThinkB4UClick program launch, organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel sent a message to the youth, emphasizing their pioneering role in preventing cyber fraud.

How does the Ambassador assess the importance of enhancing digital skills for youth to protect themselves in today's technological era?

I believe that it is crucial for young people to use cyberspace correctly. This is more urgent than ever, as cyberspace and online environments have become complex and challenging, filled with misinformation, scams, "online kidnapping", and the lurking risk of human trafficking.

Therefore, it is essential for today's youth to navigate the online environment, think critically, identify risk signs, and act appropriately.

Why did the Canadian Embassy choose to partner with IOM in the ThinkB4UClick initiative to enhance critical thinking and improve online response capabilities for youth?

Canada is very pleased to work with IOM in Vietnam on this special initiative. It is an opportunity to train digital skills and build preventive capabilities for young people, helping them protect themselves from online scams, cyberbullying, or other forms of digital abuse.

Canada’s support for the ThinkB4UClick initiative reflects our belief in youth-led prevention. Through this program, young people not only learn to recognize and respond to online risks but also become digital change-makers, using their voices and creativity to promote safe migration and build a healthier online community.

Canada's support for the ThinkB4UClick initiative reflects our belief in the pioneering role of youth in preventing digital fraud. (Source: IOM)

On this occasion, what message would the Ambassador like to send to young people to help them better understand their online safety?

I have three messages for Vietnamese youth:

First, be critical and cautious. Not everything you see on Internet is true. There is a lot of misinformation, traps, and online scams. So, think carefully before you click, assess whether this information is credible, what's the source, and use a critical mind.

Second, protect yourself and others. Your digital footprint is extremely important. Do not let your digital information be exploited. Be careful to protect personal information as it can easily be misused by malicious actors. Also, protect the privacy and dignity of others. Do not share anyone's information without permission. It is crucial to safeguard your personal information and that of those around you.

Third, use your voice online for good. You can be a positive influencer, help the community, create positive change, bring hope for the future, and spread good in life. Therefore, I hope you will actively use cyberspace to harness your potential, contributing to building a digital ecosystem that protects dignity, rights, and opportunities for everyone.

Vietnam recently hosted the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention). Could the Ambassador share his thoughts on this event?

Addressing cybercrime requires international cooperation and collective global efforts, and Vietnam has connected this joint effort by hosting the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. This is a very important pillar in the international arena to maintain a rules-based international order.

For Canada and for all of the partners who are participants in this convention, one of the important things is the need to address cybercrime, which affects communities and vulnerable people all over the world.

This is not just an international or national issue but also relates to the rights of every individual. Human rights and dignity are severely violated by cybercrime: people are trafficked, scammed... And often the victims are the most vulnerable in society, especially young people, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and people who don't necessarily have all the digital skills to be able to protect themselves.

Therefore, I believe that the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime hosted by Vietnam will be incredibly helpful in cracking down on cybercrime so that people are not vulnerable to scams, to cyberbullying, to disinformation, and to being taken advantage of online.

Thank you, Ambassador!

Delegates and youth support the ThinkB4UClick initiative. (Source: IOM)