Vietnam plans to require social media platforms to prevent users under the age of 16 from posting content, commenting or responding to posts, under a draft decree aimed at strengthening online protection for children, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.The proposed rules would require the social media accounts of children under 16 to be registered using the information of a parent or legal guardian, who would be responsible for moderating the content children watch and the amount of time they spend on the platforms.The draft decree also requires social media companies to use technical measures to identify child users and ensure they receive age-appropriate content.
Platforms must provide the highest level of privacy protection for children’s accounts and proactively detect, warn and block access to content related to violence, pornography, gambling, drugs, suicide and other harmful material.“The primary goal is not to ban, limit or overly restrict children’s access to social media, but to ensure that when children use social media services, they are placed in an age-appropriate environment and protected from inappropriate risks,” Deputy Culture Minister Van Tam said Thursday during a meeting to discuss the proposed rules.
The proposal comes as governments around the world tighten regulations around children’s use of social media amid growing concerns about online safety and the impact of harmful content on young users’ mental health.Earlier this week, French lawmakers agreed to ban access to social media for children under 15. Australia became the first country to impose such a ban, while several other countries are considering similar measures.The draft decree also proposes new restrictions on minors playing online games. Game operators will be required to verify users’ ages, register accounts of children under 16 through a parent or legal guardian, and limit users under 16 to a maximum of 60 minutes of play per day across games offered by the same company.The draft decree has not yet been finalized and may be reviewed before being officially adopted.