Difficulties in managing internet operations.

(Baonghean) - The internet network has developed widely, even in mountainous regions. The internet has changed every aspect of people's lives. However, alongside the benefits that the internet brings, there are also negative aspects... Currently, its management faces many difficulties and shortcomings...

Playing online games at a public internet cafe (Vinh City).

"A double-edged sword"

Luong Minh commune, one of the remote and isolated communes in the mountainous Tuong Duong district, has undergone many changes, now boasting electricity, roads, schools, health stations, and especially, "internet has reached the village." The Chairman of the People's Committee of Luong Minh commune, Cut Xuan Minh, happily stated: "Luong Minh commune is one of five communes in Tuong Duong district receiving the project 'Improving the ability to use computers and access public internet in Vietnam.' The villagers are very happy to have internet. People have become familiar with using computers and the internet to serve their lives, such as searching for information on efficient livestock farming and crop cultivation, new policies, current events, and educational materials..."

As is well known, the rapid development of the Internet is proof of the convenience and usefulness it brings to all aspects of life. The Internet has given rise to applications and social networking sites such as Yahoo, Facebook, Blogs, etc., connecting people and performing countless functions related to education, awareness, aesthetics, entertainment, and information; serving diverse human activities, from learning, research, business, and social interaction. Notably, the Internet opens up many opportunities for learning and developing the abilities of individuals in society. In families and schools, the Internet acts as a teacher, a friend, a library, a dictionary, and a learning and competitive environment, positively contributing to the learning of many students. Through the internet, students from primary to high school in the province can interact, learn, and participate in talent competitions with their peers nationwide. For example, in 2014, Tran Vo Khoi Nguyen, a student from Dung Town Primary School (Thanh Chuong district), participated in an online math competition and won a gold medal, bringing pride to the provincial education sector. The internet provides a modern and convenient learning environment and methods. In particular, online English learning and testing is opening up many learning and progress opportunities for students in many regions. A prime example is Nguyen Khanh Huyen, a student in class 9C at Le Hong Phong Secondary School (Hung Thong commune, Hung Nguyen district), who won third prize at the national level in the online English competition in the 2013-2014 school year.

Mr. Pham Van Ha (Hung Binh ward, Vinh City) works in Angola – a country in southern Africa. Every day, he communicates with his son, Pham Phong (a student at Hermann Gmeiner School in Vinh City), via Facebook. The two not only share their feelings daily, but Mr. Ha also advises and guides his son on each subject and lesson. Thanks to the internet, Mr. Ha maintains daily contact with his family, allowing him to focus on his work while also ensuring his children receive adequate care and attention to their studies.

Many people probably still remember Nguyen Cong Hung, the IT knight (from Nghi Dien commune, Nghi Loc district), who was paralyzed from a young age and could only move one finger. Despite this, Nguyen Cong Hung taught himself and by the age of 21 (2003), he opened an IT center for people with disabilities and founded the website www.nghilucsong.net, which supports people with disabilities in finding information about jobs and education. It has over 30,000 members worldwide and 100,000 shared articles. In 2005, Nguyen Cong Hung was awarded the title of IT Knight by eChip Information Technology Magazine; he also received the "Outstanding Young Vietnamese Face" award, and his Nghi Luc Song Center won a special award for "Best IT Training Center for People with Disabilities" in the Victa Awards 2010 of the Ministry of Information and Communications. Due to a serious illness, Knight Nguyen Cong Hung passed away on December 31, 2012, leaving behind a shining example of resilience and a valuable lesson for the younger generation: when people know how to utilize the advantages of the Internet to serve their own lives and the lives of others, and to contribute to science, society, and humanities, anyone can become a useful person.

Alongside the benefits that the internet brings, it is also a "double-edged sword" containing many negative aspects: Due to a conflict while chatting online, Nguyen Van Truong (born in 1991), residing in Vo Liet commune, Thanh Chuong district, sought out Hoang Van Giang (born in 1996), also residing in Vo Liet commune, to talk. A fight ensued, and Truong stabbed Giang to death. On August 13, 2013, Hoang paid the price: the court sentenced him to 15 years in prison and ordered him to pay 105 million VND in compensation to the victim's family. Or there are horrific cases that shock people because of online game addiction. Because of his addiction to online games, to get money to pay off debts and continue playing, Tran Ngoc Quan (born in 1997), a 10th-grade student residing in Thai Hoa town, brutally murdered his aunt, To Thi Loan (born in 1957), to steal her gold. On March 14, 2014, the Nghe An Provincial People's Court held a first-instance criminal trial for the murder and robbery case against Tran Ngoc Quan. After comprehensively reviewing all the evidence, the panel of judges sentenced Tran Ngoc Quan to 10 years in prison...

Furthermore, cybercriminals exploit websites to spread viruses and collect personal information for fraudulent purposes. Most dangerously, hostile forces and reactionary elements both domestically and internationally are using websites, blogs, and social media to intensify their subversive activities, spreading distorted propaganda about the policies and guidelines of our Party and State. They thoroughly exploit current events and sensitive issues of public concern to incite and provoke people to protest and gather in large numbers against the government...

Difficulties in management

Vinh City has the highest number of internet cafes in the province, currently boasting 230 licensed public internet access points. These internet cafes and game centers are scattered throughout the city. When asked about regulations and rules governing internet operations, most owners of these establishments gave vague answers, lacking a clear understanding of the regulations. According to a surprise inspection by the Department of Information and Communications (DIC) of 88 internet cafes in Vinh City in 2013, 66 out of 88 establishments either did not display or displayed regulations that did not comply with Government Decree No. 97/2008/ND-CP. The displayed regulations were mostly for show, not intended for customers to read and follow. Regarding operating hours, 21 out of 88 establishments operated beyond the permitted hours, allowing customers to play online games past 11 PM. These businesses are mainly concentrated around schools, vocational schools, and professional secondary schools. 46 out of 88 establishments did not display fire safety regulations and instructions, and most of the owners did not have fire safety training certificates...

Posing as customers at an internet cafe located in the basement of building B2 - Quang Trung residential complex (Vinh City), we chose a computer and freely accessed any game or website without any monitoring software. Furthermore, the cafe had a dark space, failing to meet lighting standards. The basement of the old residential building was dilapidated, violating hygiene and safety regulations and the health of its users. Surrounding us were gamers "holed up" from morning till night, mostly young people, always immersed in the "virtual world." The owner stated: "For profit and competition, we only focus on ensuring a good internet connection for our customers, without paying attention to what games they are playing or whether they are accessing websites with inappropriate content."

In mountainous areas, managing the internet also faces many difficulties. At the Thach Giam Commune Cultural Post Office in Tuong Duong District, the public internet access point is open for free from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Bringing internet to mountainous areas has initially helped people search for information online. However, those who access the internet are not necessarily searching for information; students often use it to play games or watch movies. Mr. Moong Thai Nhi, Head of the Culture Department of Ky Son District, said that in Muong Xen Town, there are three internet service businesses, and these are always operating actively. Authorities are concerned with inspection and supervision, but mainly focus on enforcing regulations regarding operating hours. Regarding content, it is very difficult because it's impossible to be present to inspect and supervise all the time.

Currently, according to statistics from the Department of Information and Communications, there are nearly 700 licensed public internet access points in our province. Despite the existence of Decree No. 72/2013/ND-CP on the Management, Provision, and Use of Internet Services and Information on the Network, Circular No. 23/2013/TT-BTTTT regulating the management of public internet access points and public electronic game service providers, and Decision 44/2014/QD-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee promulgating regulations on the management of public internet access points and public electronic game service providers in the province... However, the management and monitoring of information still face many difficulties due to the unique nature of the internet as a global information network connected by high-tech devices such as mobile phones and computers.

According to Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, Chief Inspector of the Department of Information and Communications, the management of internet service businesses still has limitations and shortcomings. The reasons include: some regulations overlap between different documents; businesses do not promptly update legal regulations; legal knowledge and compliance awareness among business owners are limited; some violate the law for profit; and the awareness of a segment of internet users regarding legal compliance and the purpose of internet use is still limited.

Regarding solutions to strengthen internet management, Mr. Tran Anh Tuan stated: In addition to issuing citations and imposing administrative penalties on violating establishments, the Department of Information and Communications will review and terminate contracts with internet cafes providing electronic games within a distance of less than 200 meters. We will strengthen surprise inspections to promptly prevent and handle violations of the law by businesses. We will enhance the dissemination of legal regulations through mass media and maintain regular reporting on the development, inspection, and supervision of internet cafe operations. At public internet access points in mountainous areas, to ensure internet is used for its intended purpose, we will regularly inspect and evaluate the effectiveness of internet usage. In particular, for young people, it is necessary to raise their awareness of the internet and prevent them from becoming engrossed in the "temptation" of the virtual world.

Pham Ngan - Duc Duong