Children Cannot Be Handed Over to Social Media: When Kids Become 'View Bait'

Tuổi Trẻ newspaper is sounding a critical alarm regarding the disturbing trend of exploiting children on social media for online fame and engagement. Our investigation reveals how certain channels, such as Chanh Chanh TV, are increasingly featuring minors in content that mimics the 'giang hồ mạng' (online gangster) or 'boy phố' (street kid) aesthetics. These videos, often filled with simulated violence, vulgar language, and risky behaviors, are gaining significant traction, particularly among young audiences.

The core issue, as highlighted by Tuổi Trẻ, is the commodification of childhood. Children are being turned into 'view bait,' their innocence and developmental needs sacrificed for clicks and likes. We see disturbing examples, like a child performing adult-like dance moves for tourist attention, or teenagers engaging in dangerous 'challenges' or mock 'debt collection' scenarios. This trend is not just about entertainment; it's about the normalization of inappropriate behavior and the potential psychological impact on both the children involved and the young viewers who emulate them.

From a Vietnamese perspective, this issue strikes at the heart of our cultural values concerning the protection and upbringing of children. While the digital world offers new avenues for expression, it also presents unprecedented challenges. Western media might focus on the broader issues of online safety or the algorithms driving content, but here in Vietnam, the immediate concern is the direct, visible exploitation of our youth. We must question who is profiting from this, and what responsibility platforms like YouTube have in curbing such content. Tuổi Trẻ believes it is imperative to protect our children from becoming mere tools for online monetization, ensuring they have the space to grow, learn, and play as they should.