Children must be protected — both online and offline.

On 24 December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly officially adopted the UN Convention on Cybercrime (the Hanoi Convention), with the signing ceremony expected to take place at the end of October in Ha Noi.

Ms. Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam, shared her insights on the Convention’s strong commitments to protecting children in the digital space.

What crimes against children in cyberspace are covered by the UN Convention against Cybercrime? Why is it an important international convention for children?

As a UNICEF Representative, and as a mother of two, this is matter of concern because the online world has brought many opportunities to advance child rights, but it also brings challenges and risks.  

The UN Convention against Cybercrime, adopted in December 2024 and now open for signature, is a landmark agreement. It’s the first global treaty that brings countries together to fight cybercrime in a coordinated way—and it includes strong protection measures for children online.  

When we talk about crimes against children in cyberspace, we’re referring to deeply harmful acts like child sexual abuse, online grooming, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. These are addressed directly in this Convention. 

For instance, it criminalizes the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material –and introduces the use of its acronym, CSAM, instead of referring to “child pornography” only. This is an important change. It also tackles online grooming, where someone builds trust with a child online to exploit them later. This kind of manipulative behavior is now clearly criminalized, even if it doesn’t lead to physical contact. 

And then there’s the issue of sharing intimate images without consent. This includes private photos or videos of children, which can be devastating. The Convention treats this seriously, recognizing this practice as a form of image-based sexual abuse. 

This treaty matters because it goes beyond setting rules—it fosters global cooperation, information sharing, and accountability across borders. Viet Nam is already deeply engaged and should be proud to host the Signing Ceremony of the UN Convention on Cybercrime.  

Children need the same level of commitment from the tech companies –when they act responsibly and put children first, they can prevent child abuse and exploitation on their platforms. 

Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility. This Convention strengthens that protection—wherever children live—and it’s been named “the Hanoi Convention”, marking a major step toward a safer internet for every child. 

What do you think the inclusion of these offenses in the convention means for the prevention of crimes against children in cyberspace?

Digital technology is now a part of everyday life for children. It opens up incredible opportunities—for learning, for creativity, for connecting with others—and it helps fulfil many of their rights –to education, to express themselves, to access information…but, there are serious risks, too. Children face violations of their privacy, identity theft, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and even sexual exploitation. 

That’s why the Hanoi Convention comes at such a critical time. It gives countries a shared legal framework to address these crimes, helping them update their laws, align with international standards, and work together across borders. It’s not just about punishing offenders—it’s about preventing harm and protecting children’s rights in the digital world. 

The Convention complements other international agreements, like the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on child trafficking and sexual exploitation. Together, these treaties send a clear message: children must be protected, online and offline. 

The signing ceremony taking place in Hanoi shows the country’s leadership on the global stage and its commitment to building a safer digital environment for children. But it also means a need to keep improving—refining laws, strengthening institutions, and building the capacity to cooperate internationally on cybersecurity. 

Viet Nam has made important progress –for example, the Law on Children and the Penal Code which recognizes the need to protect children online. But the digital world changes rapidly, and it’s now central to almost every part of a child’s life. So, it’s time to update legislation to reflect that reality. 

That means clearly defining and prohibiting online harms—cyberbullying, grooming, the sharing of intimate images…—and it also means making sure our laws cover all aspects of child sexual abuse material, from production to possession. These updates will help ensure that children are not only safe but also empowered to thrive in the digital age. 

What measures should member states take after the convention is signed to optimize the protection of children in cyberspace?

I would like to emphasize three key aspects countries need to focus on to truly protect children in the digital world. 

First, we need to recognize that children are not just vulnerable—they’re also central to the solution. Research shows that 2% of Vietnamese children aged 15–17 have exchanged sexual images or videos of themselves for money or gifts. That’s a form of online sexual exploitation. And through UNICEF’s U-Report, we’ve learned that 1 in 5 children and young people have experienced cyberbullying. What’s even more worrying is that most of them don’t know where to turn for help. As more children go online, they need to be equipped—not just to protect themselves, but also to treat others with respect and care. 

Second, protecting children online requires a coordinated national response. The government can’t do it alone. Children need collective action. That means bringing together government agencies, tech companies, civil society organizations and partners like UNICEF. Each partner brings unique expertise and resources, and together, we must build a safer digital environment for children. 

Third, while we work to protect children from online risks, we must also make sure we’re not limiting their opportunities to learn, explore, and grow. That’s why UNICEF is partnering with the Ministry of Education and Training to introduce digital literacy into the school curriculum—so children can be both safe and empowered online. 

So, in the spirit of the Hanoi Convention, I’d like to propose three practical measures: 

First, we need to focus on educating and empowering children. They need to know not to share information or accept friend requests. They can only do that if adults give them the right guidance. And when adolescents do cause harm online, we should respond with care—through counselling, education, and behavior-change support, not just punishment. 

Second, children need the engagement of the private sector. Tech companies can classify, block, and remove child sexual abuse material. And they can design safer, more child-friendly digital spaces. 

And third, the national child protection systems need to be strengthen. Schools, for example, are often where cyberbullying and non-consensual image sharing happen. The education system can lead the way by integrating digital safety into school curricula and teacher training, while working hand-in-hand with social welfare and justice systems to identify risks and connect children with the support they need. Children who’ve experienced harm need services that are age-appropriate, confidential, and accessible. That includes psychosocial support and legal assistance. 

If the Hanoi Convention is implemented in a coordinated, child-centered, and gender-sensitive way, we can close protection gaps and create a digital world where all children are safe and empowered. 

Source in Vietnamese belong to: Nhan Dan newspaper