Lego and UNICEF have released a set of design guidelines targeting game developers to better promote children’s wellbeing during digital play.
The Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RITEC) toolbox is targeting game designers, with the end goal being to provide “practical tools to create digital experiences that actively promote experiences considerate of wellbeing.”
The RITEC toolbox includes, among others, guidelines to design games focusing on the eight “wellbeing outcomes” that children can get out of digital play: autonomy, competence, emotional regulation, relationships, creativity, identities, diversity, equity & inclusion, and safety & security.
“Designing for wellbeing is about allowing children to experience a sense of control, have freedom of choice and experience mastery and feelings of achievement,” the announcement highlighted. “If designed well, games can also help children to regulate their emotions, feel connected to others, and find joy in creating and exploring as well as acting on new ideas. These types of experiences are vital for children’s wellbeing and can even support their development.”
Practical application of RITEC Design Toolbox
Design professionals in the gaming industry can use the RDT to:
- Ensure their products are aligned with best practices for children’s well-being.
- Promote inclusivity and safety in digital environments.
- Drive business success while upholding ethical standards in child-focused game design.
If you’re a game developer, this is how to apply the RDT in your design process
To apply the RITEC Design Toolbox (RDT) in your design process, you can follow these steps for integrating child well-being considerations into your digital play projects:
1. Start with the FAQs: Review the FAQs to address initial questions and familiarize yourself with key concepts. This will help you understand how RITEC principles can shape your design decisions for children’s well-being.
2. Consider the Business Case (Executive Summary): If you’re working with stakeholders or decision-makers, the Executive Summary can help communicate the value of designing for children’s well-being. This step can also help you align your design goals with your company’s strategic priorities, showing the broader impact on brand trust and user engagement.
3. Review the Infographic Posters (RITEC-8 Framework and Play World): Study the RITEC-8 Framework to understand the eight dimensions of well-being: safety, diversity, autonomy, emotions, competence, relationships, creativity, and identity. Identify which of these dimensions are most relevant to your project and consider how your design can support them. Explore the children’s quotes about their well-being in digital play and find those inspiring and relevant to the user-experience you are trying to design.
4. Explore the Interactive Card Deck: Use the game design feature cards as practical references. Each card represents a feature or approach shown to support well-being. Consider how these features could fit into your design, and brainstorm ways to incorporate them in your user experience, interaction design, and game mechanics.
5. Incorporate into Prototyping and Testing: As you move into prototyping, keep the RITEC-8 dimensions and selected design features in mind. Conduct user testing with a focus on how well the design promotes these dimensions, especially if testing with children or getting feedback from stakeholders with expertise in child development.
6. Iterate and Refine: Use feedback to refine your design, focusing on adjustments that improve well-being outcomes.
By aligning your design process with RITEC’s focus on well-being, your digital play experience will likely be more inclusive, engaging, and beneficial for children, enhancing both their enjoyment and development in a safe digital environment.
