Introduction
On the afternoon of February 10, the police of Cuu Viet Town (Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province) confirmed that the information about staged kidnappings of students in the area was false. This incident caused widespread concern and anxiety among parents.
Incident Overview
In the morning of February 7, social media circulated a story about student N.T.A., a fourth-grader at Gio Viet Primary and Secondary School, being lured and kidnapped by a stranger. According to shared information, while waiting for their parents, N.T.A. was approached by a man in a car who said, “Your dad called me to pick you up.” N.T.A. quickly responded, “Don’t lie, you’re trying to kidnap me!” and ran into a pharmacy shouting, “Kidnapping, kidnapping!” The man then left the scene quickly.
False kidnapping story causes unwarranted alarm in community – 1
Verifying the Facts
Following the incident, the police conducted an investigation and found that the story of a staged kidnapping recounted by N.T.A. was entirely fabricated. In reality, N.T.A. had made up the story to tell her mother. The mother, unaware of the truth, informed her husband working in South Korea, who then asked a friend to post it on Facebook as a warning, leading to unnecessary confusion.
The police of Cuu Viet Town requested the Facebook account holder to remove the post and clarify the information to prevent public panic. However, since the individual who posted the false information is currently in South Korea, they cannot be held accountable according to regulations.
Advice for Parents and Children
To avoid similar misunderstandings in the future, parents should teach children how to handle emergency situations and maintain regular communication. Parents should also be cautious when sharing unverified information on social media. Additionally, children need to learn to recognize and avoid strangers and know how to react in dangerous situations.
Kidnapping Prevention Skills for Children
- Never get into a stranger’s car: Children should be taught never to get into a stranger’s car without parental permission.
- Shout loudly if feeling unsafe: Children should know to shout loudly to attract attention if they feel unsafe.
- Remember details of the stranger: If approached by a stranger, children should try to remember their characteristics (gender, age, clothing, etc.) to provide information to authorities if needed.
- Learn to identify strangers: Parents should teach children to recognize strangers through behavior, speech, and attitude.
Conclusion
This incident has been clarified and no longer causes public alarm. However, it serves as a valuable lesson for both parents and children about the importance of teaching life skills and handling emergencies. Stay vigilant and keep in touch with your children to ensure their safety.
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