News
Keep up to date with the latest development on data protection, children’s rights in the digital environment and more with our news articles and press releases.
US courts and lawmakers are telling tech companies that safety by design is not optional
From TikTok’s court loss to Meta’s $17 billion settlement, US courts and states are forcing tech companies to make child safety a design requirement, not an afterthought.
New EU KIDS Act can “put paid to the tech exploitation of children” but must apply equally to all platforms
The European Commission has unveiled its proposed EU KIDS Act, a landmark new framework aimed at making digital services safer for children and reducing their exposure to harmful and addictive design.
SOTEU 2026: Platforms will have to prove they are safe for kids
The EU Commission has taken up 5Rights’ long-standing demand to reverse the burden of proof – platforms will soon have to prove their services are safe for kids, not wait for harm to happen first.
EU Kids Online survey shows children need safer digital spaces by design
New EU Kids Online research shows children are facing growing online risks, reinforcing the need for digital services to be safe by design and by default.
Over 25 countries call for AI certification before reaching classrooms
Gathered for UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week, education Ministers demand that tech companies demonstrate AI systems’ safety and educational benefit before impacting children.
Regulate tech, not kids, say 140+ organisations and experts ahead of EU State of the Union
More than 130 organisations and experts in child rights call for Europe-wide framework for digital safety ahead of State of the European Union address.
Five years of the Children’s Code: pioneering then, pioneering now
Now in its fifth year, the UK’s Children’s Code still sets the bar for children’s privacy online but weak enforcement means it’s not delivering on its promise.
Meta settles in landmark child safety trial but stops short of meaningful default improvements
Facing a landmark trial over child safety, Meta agreed to pay close to $17 billion but the settlement leans on access restrictions and optional features, rather than fixing the engagement-driven design at the root of the harm by default.
Children should have a say in shaping the digital world
From unsafe digital products to narrow regulations, excluding children from decision-making has consequences. 5Rights Youth Council members explain what meaningful participation actually requires.
More than half of US States sue Meta over addictive design practices
As over half of US States take Meta to court, evidence is mounting that Instagram and Facebook weren’t just careless with children’s safety but deliberately designed to be addictive.
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights considers model law on children’s rights online
Following evidence from 5Rights and partners on how tech companies’ business models and design decisions harm children, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is considering a regional model law.
Major new study into classroom tech reveals jarring evidence gap
A major new review by the Digital Futures for Children centre warns that while educational technology has become embedded in classrooms, the evidence needed to understand its wider impact on children has failed to keep pace.
