Introduction

Beeban Kidron, a renowned filmmaker turned digital rights campaigner, has been at the forefront of ensuring that children's rights are protected in the digital age. With her influential 5Rights Foundation, she has championed change in how technology companies approach privacy and safety for minors. In a candid discussion, Kidron emphasizes that it’s not the parents’ fault when things go wrong online; instead, she argues that tech giants must take responsibility for creating safe and age-appropriate digital environments.

Beeban Kidron: A Career of Advocacy

Beeban Kidron's journey from film to advocacy began with her 2012 documentary, InRealLife, which explored the impact of technology on children. This marked a turning point in her career, shifting her focus toward digital rights. She co-founded Filmclub (now Into Film), an initiative that aimed to promote film literacy among children, showing the power of media to educate and inspire young minds.

As a crossbench peer in the UK's House of Lords, Kidron has contributed significantly to key policy discussions, including the UK Advertising in the Digital Age and the Draft Online Safety Bill. Her work as a member of the UNESCO Broadband Commission highlights her commitment to sustainable development and the digital inclusion of all people, especially children.

The 5Rights Framework

In 2013, Kidron introduced the 5Rights Framework, which outlines five essential rights for children in the digital world:

• The Right to Remove: The ability to easily edit or delete created content.
• The Right to Know: Transparency about who is collecting and using their information.
• The Right to Safety and Support: Protection from online harm with accessible support.
• The Right to Informed and Conscious Use: Empowerment to engage or disengage with digital media as they choose.
• The Right to Digital Literacy: The skills to use and critique digital technologies effectively.

These rights have become a cornerstone for Kidron's campaigning and have influenced international standards such as the IEEE 2089 Standard for Age Appropriate Digital Services Framework.

5Rights Foundation and Global Impact

The 5Rights Foundation, formally established in 2018, is dedicated to making the digital world a safer and more inclusive place for children. The foundation works globally, collaborating with governments, NGOs, and tech companies to implement policies and programs that uphold these rights. Notable achievements include:

• Child Online Protection Policy for Rwanda.
• Contributing to the General Comment No. 25 on Children’s Rights in Relation to the Digital Environment.
• Developing the IEEE 2089 Standard in partnership with IEEE.

This work demonstrates Kidron's commitment to ensuring that technology serves children and young people equitably, without compromising their safety or rights.

Regulatory Change and Future Challenges

Kidron praises the UK's Online Safety Act, which became law recently, as a crucial step forward in protecting children online. She emphasizes that more needs to be done to curb the power of tech giants and ensure they adhere to these laws.

In looking to the future, Kidron advocates for greater transparency in technology, particularly in education settings. She highlights initiatives like the Netherlands' deal with Google to keep educational data out of commercial hands as a model for the UK to follow.

Conclusion

Beeban Kidron's work is a testament to the need for collective action in safeguarding children's rights in the digital age. Her relentless advocacy challenges tech companies to design services that are "rights-respecting and age-appropriate by design and by default." As she continues to push for change, it's clear that Kidron's influence will remain significant in shaping the digital future for generations to come.

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