ThinkB4UClick - Training empowers Vietnamese youth with digital literacy to promote safer migration
WVR - On October 28, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Embassy of Canada in Vietnam, officially launched “ThinkB4UClick”, a youth-focused training initiative aimed at equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to prevent trafficking in persons, strengthen critical thinking, and build digital resilience
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| ThinkB4UClick - Training empowers Vietnamese youth with digital literacy to fight online exploitation and promote safer migration. (Photo: Thu Trang) |
Nearly 300 youth participants, including university students, digital practitioners, and members of the IOM Youth Network—joined both in-person and online to engage with a dynamic curriculum exploring the intersection of cyber-enabled crimes safe migration, and youth empowerment. The training featured data-driven insights, scenario-based exercises, and social media campaign planning, all designed to cultivate a new generation of digital guardians.
The event served as a platform to spotlight emerging trafficking trends and foster international cooperation. It promoted the strategic use of social media and technology to raise awareness about tactics employed by trafficking networks, while reaffirming the importance of victim-centred approaches. Participants underscored the vital role of youth as agents of change in the fight against human trafficking.
According to IOM’s Regional Situation Report on trafficking in persons into forced criminality in Online Scamming Centres, the number of trafficking victims forced into criminal activities and supported by IOM in Southeast Asia has more than tripled—from 296 in 2022 to 1,093 so far in 2025. Research by IOM also reveals that 50 per cent of these victims are high school graduates and the other half are university graduates. They were lured through fake job offers, with many being young, educated individuals deceived into conducting cyber scams for criminal networks.
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| IOM Chief of Mission in Vietnam Kendra Rinas. (Photo: Thu Trang) |
At the event, IOM Chief of Mission in Vietnam Kendra Rinas said: “Trafficking in persons doesn’t just happen through physical contact—it is increasingly online and complex... With Vietnam’s 22 million young people increasingly connected online, empowering them to think critically, stay safe, and speak out against exploitation is one of the most effective ways to counter trafficking in persons.”
In recent years, Vietnam has seen a surge in digital kidnapping scams, where perpetrators use AI-generated voice deepfakes, impersonate authorities, and isolate victims from their support networks. These alarming trends highlight the urgent need for digital literacy, not just as a technical skill, but as a critical mindset to detect deception and make informed decisions.
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| Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam Jim Nickel. (Photo: Thu Trang) |
“Digital literacy is no longer a luxury, it’s a shield,” stated Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam Jim Nickel. “With over 50% of traffickers now recruiting online, teaching young people to think before they click can mean the difference between safety and exploitation. Canada’s support for the ThinkB4UClick initiative reflects our belief in youth-led prevention. When youth speak in their own voice, we build digital ecosystems that protect dignity, rights, and opportunity.”
Following the training, participants will launch a youth-led digital campaign to reach hundreds of peers nationwide. Using platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Zalo, and Instagram, they will create accessible and relatable content to raise awareness about online risks, promote safe migration pathways, and foster digital responsibility.
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| The event served as a platform to spotlight emerging trafficking trends and foster international cooperation. (Source: IOM) |
