Rights and responsibilities

Rights are what everyone is entitled to. Responsibilities are what we owe to each other. They go together.

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What is a right?

A right is something you are entitled to, such as being treated fairly, getting an education or saying what you think.
Some rights are protected by law. In the UK the Human Rights Act 1998 protects basic human rights.
Human rights belong to every person, simply because they are human.

Children's rights

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was agreed in 1989. It sets out rights for everyone under 18, such as the right to an education, to be heard, to play, and to be protected from harm.
The UK signed up to (ratified) it in 1991.
Adults, such as parents, teachers and the government, have duties to help protect these rights.

What is a responsibility?

A responsibility is something you are expected to do, such as obeying the law, respecting other people's rights and looking after shared spaces.
Rights and responsibilities are linked. If I have the right to be safe at school, I have a responsibility not to bully others.
Sometimes rights conflict, for example one person's freedom of speech and another person's right not to be harassed. Laws and courts help find a fair balance.
Worked example

Sam says, 'I have a right to free speech, so I can post anything I like about my classmate online.' Is Sam right?

  1. Free speech is a real right, but it is not unlimited.
  2. Sam also has a responsibility to respect other people's rights, including their right not to be harassed.
  3. Posting cruel or threatening things can break school rules and even the law.

Answer: No. Rights come with responsibilities, and free speech does not include harassing or threatening someone.

Key idea

Rights are what we are entitled to; responsibilities are what we are expected to do. The Human Rights Act 1998 protects human rights in the UK, and the UNCRC (1989) sets out rights for everyone under 18.

Key words
Human Rights Act 1998
The UK law that made the rights in the European Convention on Human Rights part of UK law.
1998
The Human Rights Act brings the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
Right
Something you are entitled to, such as education or a fair trial.
Responsibility
Something you are expected to do, such as obey the law and respect the rights of others.

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. Which of these is a right that every child has?

    1. To be protected from harm
    2. To do homework on time
    3. To keep their room tidy
    4. To pay income tax
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    Answer: To be protected from harm

    Children have the right to be protected from harm. The others are responsibilities or duties.

  2. Which of these is a responsibility rather than a right?

    1. Obeying the law
    2. Getting an education
    3. Being treated equally
    4. Freedom of speech
    Show the answer

    Answer: Obeying the law

    A responsibility is something you are expected to do. Obeying the law is one; the others are rights.

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Sources and references

Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 23 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.