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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The return of Chat Roulette? New study reveals risks of app marketed to teens but open to strangers
A new case study by 5Rights Foundation reveals how Walkie Talkie – All Talk exposes children to adult strangers online, raising questions about the app’s approach to children’s safety.
Ofcom v Meta: 5Rights to argue for credible deterrent in landmark high court hearing
As Meta challenges Ofcom in the High Court today, 5Rights Foundation warns that the outcome could have far-reaching consequences for online safety regulation in the UK and beyond.
Childhood Redrawn: New analysis reveals “pick and mix” of harmful design across social media, AI and gaming
New child online safety analysis indicates the most common design features deployed by tech firms to keep children engaged, spending and coming back. It reveals that potentially manipulative design is widespread across all digital services used by kids, not just social media.
UK Government shifts focus to tackle unsafe digital design
The UK Government will target harmful digital features in new legislation to keep children safe online, putting responsibility on companies to make the digital world safe by design.
