An 11 year-old Vietnamese prodigy has been criticised for boastfulness by fellow Facebook users.

Facebook pages with insulting words about Do Nhat Nam 

Hanoian Do Nhat Nam worked as television presenter and also taught English for many children living with cancer. He is also regarded as Vietnam’s youngest translator. He recently had his “How have I learnt English” book in both Vietnamese and English published.

Nam recently gave an interview in which he talked about his hobbies, saying that he liked books on politics and science, but didn’t like comic books because his mother said that comic books were  “a worm which could damage your soul”.

After the interview clip was posted online, many Facebookers slammed him and his parents, saying that he had lost his childhood and appeared boastful.

By April 7 a rash of Facebook and Youtube pages had been established mocking the boy. 

Psychologist Nguyen Hoang Khac Hieu from HCM City Teachers’ University called on people to stop attacking Nam. “He has the right to be proud of what he has achieved. The achievements he mentioned are all true. Many adults can’t do things that he could do.”

Le Thi Thu, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Association of Child Rights Protection, said instead of encouraging this talent for full developing his ability, many people tried to criticise him, which would damage a talent. The association would take early measures to console Nam’s family and called on Facebook users to stop their action.

Loophole in children protection law

Article No. 26 of the Children Protection, Care and Education Law, stipulates that, “Any behaviour which violates the life, body and dignity of children will be strictly dealt with under the law”. However the document guiding this regulation only focuses on tackling maltreatment and difficulties facing children when they study.

According to Decree 91 issued in 2011 on fines on violations in children protection, care and education only mentions fines of between VND1 million (USD47.6) and VND3 million (USD142.8) for the violation of using insulting words and action to offend children who violate laws.

Naming a person and posting their photo online with insulting words is a personal smear

Lawyer Nguyen Huu The Trach said the international convention on children’s rights and Vietnamese laws protect children’s honour in any case. “Naming a person and posting their photo online with insulting words is a personal smear.”

Sharing the same opinion, Mrs. Le Thi Thu said the Children Protection, Care and Education Law which was being revised should add actions that offend a child’s honour and dignity online. “I think that Do Nhat Nam’s parents are intellectuals who are wise enough to protect their children from the negative impact of other internet users, but how about the cases in which parents do not have enough skills to protect their children. The law should consider this."

Current laws stipulate that all behaviour offending a child’s honour and dignity must be strictly dealt with, but they do not mention problems caused by internet users.

Therefore, the revision of the Children Protection, Care and Education Law would clarify what actions are regarded as offending a child’s honour and dignity is in a more detailed way, said Dang Hoa Nam, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs’ Department of Children Protection, Care and Protection.

“I believe that problems facing children caused by internet users will be also mentioned in administrative and civil laws. Sub-documents must be issued to guide the law implementation," Nam added.