Let's work together to preserve culture in the digital space.

Towards building a disciplined and humane digital environment.

Directive 57 of the Party Central Committee is not just a dry administrative document; nor does it stop at technical solutions, but carries great cultural and social significance, aiming to build a disciplined and humane digital environment, in line with the requirements of national development in the new period as outlined in the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress.

Vietnamese people have traditionally possessed a beautiful cultural trait in communication: always linking words to people; honor to responsibility; and binding oneself to the common moral standards of the community. However, with the advent of the digital age and its unlimited connectivity on the internet, cyberspace has become an indispensable part of cultural and social life.

Previously, access to culture primarily took place in physical spaces such as homes, schools, squares, theaters, and museums. Now, this has largely shifted to cyberspace through computers and smartphones. Cyberspace has become a "cultural space" in the digital age.

But like any cultural space, the digital environment is not only bright and sunny but also has its gray and dark areas. We are witnessing a sad reality where cyberspace is being tainted by the deviant behavior of many anonymous online users.

Hiding behind fake accounts and disposable SIM cards, they arrogate to themselves the right to spread fake news, hurl insults and abuse at others, and even undermine national interests without fear of their moral and legal consequences. The online space has thus become a "dark zone," where truth and falsehood are intertwined, and good and evil are more difficult to distinguish than ever before. Acts of covert attacks, online fraud, and cyberbullying not only cause economic damage but also leave lasting psychological scars on victims, eroding social trust.

Cultural choice

From a cultural perspective, an unsafe online environment distorts spiritual life. When users are constantly exposed to fake and harmful information, positive values ​​are easily overshadowed. Genuine artists and content creators can be harmed by anonymous smear campaigns. In this context, Directive 57 of the Party Central Committee can be seen as a resolute stance aimed at "cleaning up" the digital cultural space, creating conditions for true, good, and beautiful values ​​to spread more strongly.

Linking personal identities to social media accounts is not intended to strip citizens of their freedom of expression, but rather to place that freedom within the framework of honor and responsibility. When individuals step into the light, the darkness of deceit and hatred will naturally be pushed back. When each person uses their real identity in the digital space, they will have to think more carefully before each click and each comment. At that time, self-awareness will replace the recklessness of anonymous mob mentality.

Furthermore, maintaining purity in the digital space carries profound humanitarian significance, as Directive 57 requires measures to protect children from the negative impacts of the digital space. Today's children mostly grow up with computers and smartphones. Without strict age control and identity verification mechanisms, they will be easily and unconsciously exposed to harmful, violent, and obscene information rampant online. Identity verification is essentially building a "digital shield" to prevent children from accessing content beyond their comprehension, while simultaneously teaching them their first lessons about civic responsibility in the modern era.

This isn't just a technical solution, but a cultural choice: prioritizing the safety and healthy development of children. At the same time, it contributes to fostering responsible internet use from a young age. When children understand that each account is linked to a real person, and that every online action has consequences, they will soon develop civilized behavior in the digital environment.

One of the new points in the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party is the determination that, entering a new stage of development, there must be a close combination of economic growth, social progress, and cultural development; national development must be centered on people and based on culture.

Digital transformation is identified as one of the key drivers of national development in the new era. However, digital transformation cannot be separated from building a digital person and a digital culture. In this context, Directive 57 of the Party Central Committee plays the role of an "institutional milestone" establishing discipline in the digital space – a space that is increasingly having a profound influence on the cultural and spiritual life of society.

However, cleaning up the digital space is not a task that can be accomplished overnight, nor is it solely the responsibility of state management agencies. It is a broad cultural movement requiring the joint efforts of the entire political system and every individual and household. When the Party Central Committee's Directive 57 and relevant legal regulations are truly implemented, we have the right to hope for a future where the online space is illuminated by values ​​of integrity. There, ethics will no longer be a general call but will be supported by institutions and technology, so that every Vietnamese person, whether in real life or online, can confidently be a civilized and responsible digital citizen. Then, the digital space will be a favorable environment for spreading knowledge, creativity, and the nation's positive cultural values.