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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.

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The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis (left), in conversation with 5Rights’ President, Baroness Beeban Kidron (centre), at the global forum on AI in Athens. The conversation was moderated by 5Rights’ trustee and Strategic Advisor for IEEE, Doctor Konstantinos Karachalios (right).
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • European Union

Greek Prime Minister urges EU regulatory action against algorithmic exploitation of children

In conversation with 5Rights’ President Baroness Kidron at the global forum on AI in Athens, Prime Minister Mitsotakis denounced the tech sector’s “unprecedented global experiment with the mental health of our children”.
A smartphone screen showing the Google Play and App Store icons side by side on a red-orange gradient background.
  • Press Release
  • Data Protection
  • Gaming
  • United Kingdom

Apple and Google expose children to data privacy breaches through misleading app age ratings

Hundreds of the most popular apps are being advertised with misleading age-ratings in Apple and Google’s app stores, leaving children in “the firing line” of targeted ads and unlawful data processing.
Leanda Barrington-Leach, Executive Director of 5Rights Foundation, delivers the opening remarks at a high-level ministerial panel during the 2025 UN Internet Governance Forum in Norway. She stands at the podium beneath the IGF and UN insignia.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • United Nations

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.  
A wider view of a person sitting at a desk using a laptop, with the IEEE Standards Association website visible on the screen. The workspace includes a wooden table, a cup, and a plant in the softly lit background.
  • News
  • Age-Assurance
  • Global

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. 
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Leanda Barrington-Leach, Executive Director of 5Rights Foundation, delivers the opening remarks at a high-level ministerial panel during the 2025 UN Internet Governance Forum in Norway. She stands at the podium beneath the IGF and UN insignia.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • United Nations

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.  
Baroness Beeban Kidron stands on a stage at the UN STI Forum, holding a microphone while addressing the audience. She wears a brown cardigan and long skirt. This is a wide shot of the picture shown above.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • United Nations

“A different digital settlement for children” – implementation must follow Global Digital Compact commitments 

From the floor of the UN STI Forum, Baroness Beeban Kidron urged world leaders to build on the Global Digital Compact and renew their commitment to a digital future that works for children.
UNCRC turns 35: AI moves fast, but it must not break children
  • News
  • AI
  • United Nations

UNCRC turns 35: AI moves fast, but it must not break children

AI is shaping children’s lives, but is it safe? The Children & AI Design Code sets standards to ensure AI supports, not exploits, the next generation.
A young blonde girl enamoured by a machine learning robot. A woman, with her back to her camera and blurry, is taping the screen.
  • News
  • AI
  • United Nations

UN adopts blueprint for AI governance

The Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body on AI’s latest and final report calls for a governance of AI that promotes the development and protection of all human rights, especially children.
Leaders agree on Global Digital Compact: a step closer to a safer digital future for children
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • United Nations

Leaders agree on Global Digital Compact: a step closer to a safer digital future for children

Global leaders just adopted the Global Digital Compact – a historic milestone in securing children’s rights online with a commitment to stronger safety policies and legal frameworks by 2030.
5Rights Youth Ambassador, Skye, attends the Summit of the Future in New York.
  • Press Release
  • Child Rights
  • Youth Engagement
  • United Nations

Press release – Youth Ambassadors welcome Global Digital Compact

Over 60 5Rights Youth Ambassadors from all over the World welcomed the commitment of global leaders for a safer digital environment for children.
Two young children sitting on the floor of a bright, modern room, focused on a tablet device between them. The child on the left, wearing an orange shirt and dark pants, is sitting cross-legged and watching the screen intently. The child on the right, wearing a blue shirt and jeans, is leaning forward slightly, using one hand to interact with the tablet.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • United Nations

Bridging the digital divide for children: a global call to action

Later this month, global leaders will gather to sign a Pact for the Future and commit to a new vision to address emerging challenges, including those posed by new and existing technologies. In particular, the Global Digital Compact promises a human-centred digital future for all.
The emblem of the United Nations is prominently displayed on the glass front door of the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The emblem features a world map surrounded by two olive branches, symbolizing peace. Through the glass, the blurred interior of a building can be seen, with soft lighting and reflections adding depth to the image.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • United Nations

World governments adopt UN resolution on children’s rights online

The UN General Assembly’s Third Committee adopts a groundbreaking resolution, uniting 193 countries in a global commitment to implement children’s rights in the digital environment.
A young girl named Nidhi is speaking at a microphone during a session at the United Nations Human Rights Council. She is wearing glasses and a formal outfit, with her long dark hair neatly pinned back with a hair clip. Next to her is a young boy, also dressed formally, listening attentively.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • United Nations

Children, experts and UN agree: governments must implement General comment 25

The UN Human Rights Council dedicated its Annual Day on the Rights of the Child to discussing the digital environment and concluded with a resounding endorsement of the UNCRC General comment No. 25.
A wider shot showing the same scene in more detail. A young child, dressed in a blue and dark blue striped shirt, is sitting at a table, focused on using a tablet. The child’s fingers are touching the screen, and part of a wooden chair is visible beside them. This is the full version of the close-up shown above.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • Data Protection
  • United Kingdom
  • United Nations

Two big steps forward for young people’s rights online

Two major developments for young people’s online rights: the UN’s draft General Comment on children’s digital rights and the UK’s Age Appropriate Design Code enforcing stronger privacy protections for youth.