Vietnamese parents warned against ‘outsourcing’ childcare to social media

In an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Nguyen Thi Mai Thoa, a member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society, said children are increasingly accessing social media from an early age as part of broader technological trends.

While the Internet brings significant benefits and has become an integral part of children's daily lives, she said the risks have become more frequent and complex.

Children may face threats including online scams, sexual abuse, bullying, harassment and even forms of online extortion and coercion, she said, adding that such dangers can negatively affect their physical and mental health as well as their development.

Thoa said many parents lack the knowledge and skills needed to guide their children's online behavior, while some treat smartphones and tablets as a form of childcare.

This practice can lead to early dependence on digital devices and social media, she said, particularly when children are not taught how to use online platforms safely or how to seek help when encountering risks.

She also noted that many parents are unfamiliar with legal regulations on protecting children online and do not know how to use available tools to set safety controls, limit content, or manage screen time.

"Children cannot be left to social media," she said, stressing that families play a central role in protecting young users.

Thoa added that responsibility must also be shared with schools and society, particularly in raising awareness and supporting children when risks are identified.