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.
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Latest
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Children’s groups call on UK Government to tackle root causes of online harm
As the UK Government prepares to conclude a major consultation into children’s digital wellbeing, 25 of the UK’s leading children’s organisations have released a joint statement warning that the UK is failing to tackle the root causes of online harm and calling for decisive action that delivers meaningful change for children.
Ofcom intervention pushes Snap, Meta and Roblox to commit to child safety measures but evidence shows more is needed
New commitments from large tech companies show that regulatory pressure can drive change but children’s exposure to harmful design practices and content remains stubbornly unchanged.
New polling finds the public want platforms proven safe before use – not just banned
84% of the UK public are convinced that requiring companies to prove their products are designed to be safe before use would keep everyone safe on social media platforms. Only 2% think platforms are currently doing a good job of reducing the risk of harm to users.
Regulation is making digital spaces safer for children, but tech giants’ responses still fall short without strong enforcement
A new report from the Digital Futures for Children centre has found that legislation is having an important impact in driving new norms that benefit children, but that weak enforcement has incentivised poor practice by incumbent tech giants.
