“ThinkB4UClick” initiative empowers Vietnamese youth to combat online human trafficking
A new wave of youth-led and national initiatives in Vietnam is boosting digital literacy and online safety awareness, empowering young people and the public to recognize scams, prevent trafficking and navigate cyberspace with confidence and responsibility.
THE HANOI TIMES — The “ThinkB4UClick” program, launched today (October 27), equips young Vietnamese with the knowledge and skills to prevent human trafficking and strengthen their critical thinking and online resilience.
Co-organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Embassy of Canada in Vietnam, the initiative responds to the alarming shift of human trafficking from physical to increasingly sophisticated cyber operations.
Kendra Rinas, Chief of Mission at IOM Vietnam, speaks at “ThinkB4UClick” program on October 27 in Hanoi. Photo: IOM
The training program combines data-driven analysis, real-life case studies and hands-on social media campaign training to build a generation of tech-savvy youth capable of protecting themselves and others in digital spaces. It also promotes responsible technology use and victim-centered prevention approaches.
“With 22 million young Vietnamese connected online, empowering them to think critically and speak out against exploitation is among the most effective ways to prevent human trafficking,” said Kendra Rinas, Chief of Mission at IOM Vietnam.
According to IOM’s Regional Situation Report on Trafficking in Persons into Forced Criminality in Online Scamming Centers, the number of trafficking victims forced into cybercrime operations in Southeast Asia has tripled to nearly 1,100 since 2022. Many were deceived by fake online job offers, with half holding university degrees.
Amid growing risks such as AI-generated deepfake scams and online impersonation fraud, the initiative underscores that digital literacy both a technical skill and a vital safeguard for informed decision-making.
“Digital literacy is no longer a luxury - it’s a shield. With over 50% of traffickers now recruiting online, teaching young people to ‘think before they click’ can mean the difference between safety and exploitation,” said Jim Nickel, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam.
“Canada’s support for this initiative reflects our belief in youth-led prevention. When young people raise their voices, we build digital ecosystems that protect dignity, rights and opportunity,” he added.
The program draws strong participation from Vietnamese young people.
The training also fostered international cooperation and highlighted emerging trafficking trends. During the session, participants exchanged ideas on online advocacy and explored strategies to responsibly leverage social media for awareness campaigns.
Following the workshop, participants will launch youth-led digital campaigns across platforms to raise awareness of online risks, promote safe migration and strengthen digital responsibility nationwide.
Earlier this month, a national communication campaign titled “Online Scam Prevention 2025 – Slow but Sure” was launched by the Ministry of Public Security’s Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05), the National Cybersecurity Association, TikTok Vietnam, and VCCorp. The campaign encourages the public to verify information, stay alert, and protect themselves in the digital space.
