What's in a name
In the 18th and 19th centuries, during the British Industrial Revolution, children were used as cheap, expendable labour, working long hours in dangerous conditions.
Just as we look back in horror at the reality of children’s lives in the industrial revolution, we believe that in centuries to come, people will look back at the reality of our children’s lives today against the backdrop of this new revolution with the same sense of moral outrage.
During the British Industrial Revolution, it was the shift in social conscience, and the creation of broad social alliances, involving individuals across society including authors, charities, philanthropists, politicians and the public that led to meaningful change.
Laws matter, but we also need a shift to our social conscience in the context of children in this new, emerging revolution.
Let’s learn from revolutions in our past to create a moral revolution of our own.
There is a better alternative...
Why
The digital era brings with it huge opportunities. It also brings with it risks and harms, particularly to the young and vulnerable in our society.
We want to support wide public engagement and encourage a bold reimagining of the vision for us and our children. If we all live by The Commitments we have published, we can move away from a digital world built on profit and exploitation, to one built for human flourishing.
This is a responsibility that we all share.
If not now, when?
If not us, who?
What
This website was originally created in response to the UK Government Curriculum Review in 2024, and published our Response to the Review, accompanied by an Open Letter.
Whilst that Review has been concluded, we remain committed to playing our part.
We want to publicly state our intention to live by The Commitments we have published, and encourage others to do the same.
Because every decision we make, or fail to make, has consequences. Regardless of the size of our organisation, nature of our role, or level of our influence, what we do matters.
Let's not underestimate the power of collective action.
Who
We all work in the world of data in some capacity and have seen the trajectory that we have been on. We simply want to do all we can to ensure the safety and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable in our society and encourage a community wide commitment to build a kinder and safer future for everyone.
Data is at the heart of our lives and as we emerge into the 5th industrial revolution, the power of data and technology is only increasing. Whilst it can be a force for good, it can also be a force for bad. Too often it is those members of our society who are most vulnerable and who have the least power that are the most significantly and negatively impacted.
Silence is acceptance. We do not want to stay silent.