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.
Why the age debate in Europe is asking the wrong question
Across Europe, policymakers are asking what age children should be allowed online. 5Rights is asking what kind of digital environment we are prepared to offer them once they are.
Momentum for age-appropriate design grows across Latin America
From Brazil and Argentina to Colombia and Mexico, 5Rights and partners are driving momentum for age-appropriate design across Latin America, urging policymakers to turn international best practices into enforceable law.
Better EdTech Futures: Shaping Scotland’s approach to children’s rights and AI in schools
Scotland’s Government has used joint research from 5Rights and the Digital Futures for Children centre to shape its approach to children’s rights and AI in schools.
Snapchat under EU investigation for inadequate protection of minors
The European Commission’s decision to open a formal investigation into Snapchat marks a significant step in the enforcement of the to create a safer, more accountable online environment EU’s Digital Services Act.
Five years of General comment No. 25: From promises to progress
General comment No. 25 gave the world a roadmap to realise children’s rights in the digital world. Five years on, the progress is real but leaders must act to systematically hold tech companies accountable.
UK Government takes aim at manipulative digital design practices
The UK Government has announced new measures to strengthen online protections for children and young people, with a clear focus on tackling addictive and harmful digital design practices.
5Rights Youth Ambassadors give evidence to UK Parliamentarians on AI
5Rights Youth Ambassadors Eashaa and Niranjana, represented 5Rights at the UK Parliament this week, giving evidence to an inquiry of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Online Safety examining the impact of artificial intelligence on children.
Social media–style design is already in the classroom, new research finds
As Parliament debates banning children from social media, new research reveals that many of the same harmful design features are already embedded in the technology children use every day at school, raising concerns for children’s privacy, wellbeing and exposure to commercial exploitation in the classroom.
From Bangkok to Bogotá, a safer internet requires tech accountability
On Safer Internet Day, experience from around the world makes one thing clear: a safer digital world for children will not come about by chance.
Next steps for online safety in the UK: 5Rights sets the criteria for legislative action
In the coming weeks, Parliament will debate proposals on social media bans for under‑16s – a critical moment to strengthen the UK’s online safety framework. As children, parents, and civil society call for more ambitious protections, 5Rights Foundation is setting out clear criteria to ensure regulation delivers real‑world change.
UK Information Commissioner issues first financial penalty under the Children’s Code
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined MediaLab, owner of image-sharing platform Imgur, £247,590 for misusing children’s data, in a long-overdue enforcement action under the Age Appropriate Design Code.
Access limitations must be part of age-appropriate design, and effectively restrict companies from exploiting children
As legislators debate social media bans, 5Rights calls for access restrictions that deliver for children, arguing for tech-neutral measures that enforce existing restrictions on personalised services for under 13s and tiered default age-gating of risky features for teenagers.