Vietnamese youth warned over ‘toxic’ social media

Aug 09, 2019

VIETNAM: Young Catholics from a north-western diocese in Vietnam have been encouraged to use social media to strengthen family ties.

Some 500 people aged 14-20 from 19 parishes attended a July 27 gathering at Yen Bai Church, in the city and province of same name, along with local priests.

"We encourage you to post as many pictures, videos clips and news items relating to church activities as possible on the internet as an effective way to bring good news to other people," Father Peter Nguyen Dinh Den, head of Yen Bai deanery, told the gathering.

Father Den asked participants to visit Catholic websites and share church news, Bibles stories and hymns with others in order to strengthen their faith.

The priest also warned against posting and sharing anti-government information or advocating violent actions.

He said that young people should not use social media for "speaking ill" of other people.

"Those behaviors violate church teachings and government laws," he said.

Statistics indicate that 60 percent of Vietnam's total population of 95 million accessed the internet as of 2018.

Father Joseph Nguyen Van Cuong, pastor of Luc Yen parish in the province, cautioned against young people's overuse of smart phones and tablets at the expense of personal conversation and caring for each other.

Maria Nguyen Thi Van Anh, a participant from Yen Bai parish, admitted that she spent a considerable amount of time chatting with friends on the Internet.

"I learned a lot of helpful things from the gathering," Van Anh said.

"I will avoid violent news and spend time caring for my parents and siblings."

She said the gathering was an opportunity for local youths to review their life of faith and look for ways to promote Catholic and human values.

During the gathering, participants played traditional games, gave cultural performances, entered a catechism contest, went to confession and attended a special Mass.

The economy of Yen Bai Province is dominated by agriculture and forestry. The area is remembered for a 1930 uprising by Vietnamese soldiers against the then French colonial administration.--ucanews.com