Building the digital world that young people deserve
5Rights is at the forefront of delivering practical change for children so they can access the digital world knowledgeably, creatively and fearlessly.
The problem
Digital products and services curate almost all aspects of children’s lives, but they are designed for profit, not children’s wellbeing. Today, one in two under 18s struggles with addiction to digital devices; harassment, eating disorders, suicide and online sexual abuse are soaring.
“The more time you use social media the more addicted you are and there is no control over it.”
Sarah, 13
“I believe that when young people collate all their ideas, something amazing can happen”
Alejandro, 12
The solution
Children’s rights and needs must be at the heart of digital design and development. Tech companies must be held accountable for ensuring their products and services cater for children and young people by design and default.
Our impact
Working for and with young people, 5Rights has successfully set the agenda, delivered the evidence, shaped the needed policy, legislation and technical tools, and worked with companies to demonstrate that redesigning services for children is possible, profitable and can benefit all.
“I imagine that the digital world in the 22nd century will be advanced, brilliant and safe for all children to use effectively and creatively”
Aisha, 16
The digital world was not designed for children. But it can be. Take action with us today for a better tomorrow.
Resources
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Latest
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UK Information Commissioner issues first financial penalty under the Children’s Code
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined MediaLab, owner of image-sharing platform Imgur, £247,590 for misusing children’s data, in a long-overdue enforcement action under the Age Appropriate Design Code.
UK government declines to introduce EdTech standards as classroom tech expands unchecked
The government’s refusal to introduce enforceable standards for educational technology leaves children’s rights secondary to commercial interests, as new research reveals mixed impact of AI and EdTech in schools.
Access limitations must be part of age-appropriate design, and effectively restrict companies from exploiting children
As legislators debate social media bans, 5Rights calls for access restrictions that deliver for children, arguing for tech-neutral measures that enforce existing restrictions on personalised services for under 13s and tiered default age-gating of risky features for teenagers.
Grok AI fails child safety: companies must build safely or face consequences
The discovery of child sexual abuse material on X’s Grok AI is the latest example of a pattern 5Rights has warned about for years. The tools to protect children exist. What’s missing is robust enforcement and the political will to hold companies accountable.