Digital transformation is the key to a nation's sustainable development, and young generations hold the key to adopting modern technologies and digital solutions to move their nation forward.

Delegates participate in the digital literacy seminar for youth on September 14. Photo: The Hanoi Times

At the seminar on improving digital literacy among youth held in Hanoi on September 14 as part of the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians 2023, delegates agreed that the government needs to build digital capacity among students.

Schools from primary to upper secondary level need to use digital management applications and equip their students with understanding and skills to ensure they are safe on the Internet, said Truong Thanh Tung, a lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Phenikaa University. The Communist Youth Union and Student Union must organize training for students on these knowledge and skills, he said.

According to Vu Thi Ngoc, President of the Student Union of the Academy of Finance, the school is a proper and reliable environment where students can acquire digital skills and experience digital solutions.

The school is also the mentor that helps students solve their problems, such as Internet addiction, cybersecurity mental attacks, and involvement in illegal activities, she said, adding that the school's efforts alone are not enough.

"We need the participation of all stakeholders, from the state to communities and families. Students need to improve their digital skills to improve their own competence," Ngoc said.

Nguyen Huy Dung, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication and Vice President of the Vietnam Youth Federation, said that young generations need to change their perception of how to improve their digital skills.

"It is a big challenge to make young people understand that it is important to improve their digital skills. It requires a different approach that should make young people change their behavior," the Deputy Minister said.

Speaking at the seminar, Bui Quang Huy, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, said digital transformation is inevitable today.

The union defines awareness change as the root of digital transformation because technology users have a more crucial role than technology developers.

"Digital transformation requires citizens who are highly capable of using technology to learn, work, do business, and enjoy entertainment on the online platform," he said.

Huy pointed out that digital transformation and awareness change is a large-scale operation involving all Vietnamese people.

"Young people, better than anyone else, should take the lead in improving digital skills for their own sake and for the sake of society." As technologies replace people in the economy, younger generations will struggle to find new jobs, undermining the nation's future growth.

"We used to think that standing still meant being left behind, but now moving slowly forward can drag us behind others," he said. Digital transformation brings both challenges and opportunities for the youth to move forward faster, create new values, and drive national prosperity.

Speaking at the seminar, Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), highlighted Vietnam as a dynamic, progressive, and creative young nation.

He said that investing in building digital literacy among the youth will yield fruitful results in the future.

The 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians runs in Hanoi, Vietnam, from September 14-16.