A virtual space, real responsibility

Information claiming that a child had been kidnapped in the former Tân Thanh ward, now part of Điện Biên Phủ ward, was circulated on social media alongside an eight-second video. The “Checkin Điện Biên” fanpage, which has more than 54,000 followers, reposted the content, drawing considerable attention from the online community.

An investigation by the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control under Điện Biên provincial Police found that the information was fabricated and that the video had been generated using AI. The fanpage administrator, Q., a resident of Điện Biên Phủ ward, admitted obtaining the false information from a personal Facebook account, using AI to create the video and posting it to attract engagement. He was subsequently fined for an administrative violation.

The case shows that fake news is becoming increasingly difficult to identify online. With the help of technology, fabricated information can now be accompanied by images, videos and voice recordings that make it appear authentic. Users who simply scroll past such content without checking its source can easily assume that the presence of images means the reported event actually happened. Every share, comment or forwarded message can expose the information to more people, potentially fueling a herd mentality.

Senior Colonel Lù Minh Phương, Deputy Director of Điện Biên provincial Police, said: “The cases we have detected and dealt with show that some social media users are still not fully aware of their responsibility for the content they post, comment on or share. When false information spreads widely, it can cause public confusion and anxiety, affect organizations and individuals, and undermine security and public order. Users need to verify sources and think carefully before engaging with content, especially sensational material, information from unclear sources or content generated using AI.”

While the above case stemmed from the deliberate creation of false content to attract engagement, another case began with a social media user’s frustration.

On May 28, after failing a driving test, K.T.N., born in 1991 and residing in Điện Biên Phủ ward, used a personal Facebook account to comment that the examiner had directly deducted points and influenced the test result.

The Traffic Police Division verified that the entire testing process was conducted automatically using equipment and software in accordance with regulations, and that examiners had no means of interfering with the scoring, point deductions or candidates’ results. During a meeting with the authorities, K.T.N. admitted that frustration over failing the test had prompted the person to post speculative, unverified information. The post was subsequently removed, and K.T.N. was fined VND 6.25 million.

What began as an incident directly affecting one individual saw personal frustration brought into a space capable of reaching a large audience, where it became false information. Social media provides a platform for expressing opinions, but that freedom always comes with responsibility. Frustration cannot substitute for evidence, and personal speculation should not be presented as established fact.

Since May 2026, Điện Biên provincial Police have detected and dealt with nearly 50 cases involving comments, shares and endorsements of harmful and malicious information online. The figure shows that responsibility does not rest solely with those who create content. A seemingly insignificant share can become one link in the chain that carries false information further.

Every user is a “filter” for information

Amid the constant stream of information appearing on social media, users need to develop the habit of verifying information before engaging with it. The fact that many people post something does not make it true; nor do large numbers of likes, comments or shares confirm the reliability of information.

Đào Thị Thìn, a resident of residential group 2, Mường Thanh ward, said that when she comes across content concerning security and public order, government policies or specific individuals, she usually checks the source before commenting or sharing.

“There are some stories that can easily make us angry or worried as soon as we read them, but I usually check where the information comes from and whether it has been reported by a news organization or an official agency. If I am not sure, I do not share it. If we post or comment based on our emotions and the information later turns out to be false, we may unintentionally help spread the story even further,” she said.

The habit of verifying information is becoming even more important as AI can generate images, videos and voices that look and sound remarkably real. For information concerning government policies, security and public order, natural disasters, personal privacy or issues likely to affect public sentiment, turning to authoritative sources should become second nature.

In Quan Chiêng hamlet, Mường Lay ward, Lò Huyền Giang regularly uses Facebook and Zalo to keep up with local news and stay connected with relatives and friends.

“I usually get my information from news organizations or official pages of government agencies. When I come across an unusual video or sensational content from an unclear source, I usually wait for verified information rather than rushing to share it. Today, images and videos can be generated by AI and look remarkably real, so we have to be even more careful. If each of us refrains from sharing information that has not been verified as true or false even once, harmful information will be much harder to spread,” she said.

Using social media responsibly starts with simple actions: keeping emotions under control during arguments; avoiding insulting language and respecting others’ dignity and privacy; verifying information before sharing it; and actively spreading accurate and useful information.

Cyberspace is made up of millions of accounts, but behind every account is still a person with choices to make and responsibilities to shoulder. Before false information has to be dealt with through legal measures, the first line of defense is the user: read more carefully, take an extra step to verify information, and exercise caution every time you comment or share. That is also the foundation for building a healthy culture of online behavior.