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.
Join our EdTech Youth Advisory Board!
Stand up for children’s rights in the digital classroom! If you’re aged 13–17 and based in the UK, join the 5Rights EdTech Youth Advisory Board — part of our Better EdTech Futures for Children project — to shape research, influence policy, and ensure tech in schools works for students, not against them. Apply by Friday 15 August at 23:59!
Resources
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Latest
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Final DSA guidelines deliver historic win for children’s rights online after years of 5Rights advocacy
The European Commission’s final guidelines on Article 28.1 of the Digital Services Act incorporate key recommendations from 5Rights’ baseline and coalition advocacy that shaped the framework from inception to adoption.
Children’s privacy advances across Asia-Pacific with new policy recommendations
5Rights expert insights contribute to policy recommendations that will guide children’s privacy protection across all 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies
Why children need the Online Safety Act: protecting children in a digital wild west
With online grooming crimes in the UK surging 89% and a quarter of children exposed to pornography by age 11, now is not the time to take a step back on online safety.
New research reveals how children face financial harm online
New study published by the UK regulator Ofcom reinforces the urgent need for effective regulation of loot boxes, in-app purchases and other persuasive design strategies that exploit children’s vulnerabilities and drive them to spend money online.