Global
5Rights works across the globe to raise awareness of children’s internationally-established rights and fight for their robust and coherent implementation, so all children are safe and can thrive.
Overview
Every child has the same rights, both offline and online. To ensure that no child is left behind, we work multilaterally to give space to children, represent their voices and advocate for them and their needs. We collaborate with key partners, including the United Nations, other intergovernmental bodies, and multilateral initiatives, to drive meaningful change, establish new global norms and create a safer and better online environment for all children.
“Every young person from each part of the world including the Global South needs access to a safe, inclusive, and empowering digital environment”
Aminah, 13
Children’s experiences
Nearly 2.5 billion children are growing up in a world where the boundaries of the physical and the digital are increasingly blurred. Globally, one in three internet users is under 18. 76% of children worldwide aged 8 to 18 report having encountered online risks and most adolescents report spending more than 30 hours a week on digital devices. 5Rights’ Pathways: How digital design puts children at risk (and Disrupted Childhood: The cost of persuasive design, Risky by Design, Twisted Toys) demonstrates that the challenges children face in the digital world are clear design choices that tech companies make to maximise engagement and prioritise their profits over children’s best interests.
Spotlight: General comment No. 25
“The rights of every child must be respected, protected and fulfilled in the digital environment.”
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) has long-established obligations to protect children’s rights. Published in 2021, General comment No. 25 clarified how children’s rights apply in relation to the digital environment.
It emphasises States’ and companies’ duties to protect and respect children’s rights in the digital world. In the 5 years since its development, UNCRC General comment No. 25 has informed, accelerated, and directly shaped laws, regulation, and normative frameworks at the global, regional, and national levels.
As chair of the steering committee, 5Rights led consultations with over 40 states, hundreds of civil society organisations, 50 experts, and consulted 709 children and young people from 27 countries.
Our work across the World
5Rights engages across all continents with global and regional organisations and networks, such as the OECD, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Global Privacy Assembly, where 5Rights was recognised for its outstanding leadership at the intersection of privacy, data protection, and children’s rights with the inaugural Global Privacy Assembly Privacy and Human Rights Award at RightsCon 2025 in Taipei. The Global Privacy Assembly’s recognition of 5Rights’ impact underscores the urgent need for continued action to protect and champion children’s rights online.
General comment No. 25 serves as the foundation for our ongoing efforts. In 2023, all 193 UN member-states unanimously adopted a resolution on the rights of the child in the digital environment which, following extensive engagement by 5Rights, reiterates states’ duty to mandate corporate due diligence and ensure companies respect children’s rights.
A year later, the Global Digital Compact (GDC) was unanimously adopted at the UN Summit of the Future. Following engagement by a 5Rights-led global coalition of 14 children’s rights organisations, the final text recommits states to coherent regulation, meaningful implementation, and international alignment to protect children’s rights in the digital world.
In focus
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5Rights urges world leaders and tech firms to stand up for children at UN Internet Governance Forum
Opening the UN Internet Governance Forum’s ministerial panel on children’s online safety, 5Rights Executive Director Leanda Barrington-Leach challenged all stakeholders to face up to the reality of children’s current experience, and take bold action to reshape digital design.
Canada’s regulator announces new children’s privacy code, now lawmakers must follow
Following years of engagement with 5Rights, Canada’s Privacy Commissioner just announced a children’s privacy code. Now, the newly elected Government must make the protection of children’s rights and privacy online a national priority.
Sir Peter Wanless appointed Chair of pioneering charity, 5Rights Foundation
5Rights Foundation, the leading global charity advocating for children online, announced today the appointment of Sir Peter Wanless as their incoming Chair as Baroness Beeban Kidron steps into the role of Honorary President.
Age checking systems can now be certified against 5Rights-led technical standard
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ new certification on age assurance is built on the 2089.1 standard, co-developed by 5Rights Foundation as part of a broader set of standards grounded in 5Rights principles.