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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View allMeta’s rollback on safety measures puts children at risk
New changes announced by Meta will actively reduce existing protections for children. This is an irresponsible move – failure to implement systemic change must be challenged by regulators and policymakers worldwide as new laws and regulations come into force.
AI regulation must keep up with protecting children
An analysis of the growing role of AI in children’s lives, highlighting risks to their privacy, mental health, and education while exploring legislative efforts to ensure robust protection frameworks.
Holes not fixed: UK regulator publishes final proposals for tackling illegal harm online
Ofcom has published its final proposal for the Illegal Harms Code, and in its current iteration, it will fail to utilise the Online Safety Act to best protect children online.
Fortnite’s new update: will it make child players safer?
Epic Games announced new protections for the personal information of Fortnite players with an expanded reporting system. A hopeful step for the safety of Fortnite’s child players.