The LEGO Group welcomed the launch of a new three-year phase of the Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RITEC) initiative focused on well-being centred digital game development practices, led by UNICEF and funded by the LEGO Foundation.
The initiative aims to advance industry awareness, embed children’s well-being into everyday digital game development practices, and support the adoption of child-centred design principles across the global gaming industry.
Building on three years of research and the development of the RITEC-8 framework and RITEC Design Toolbox, this next phase will focus on advancing awareness and adoption of approaches that embed children’s well-being across the gaming industry.
Through this renewed collaboration, RITEC will:
Convene gaming industry leaders and decision-makers to align on shared approaches to well-being in digital play
Translate research into practical tools, guidance and training pathways for developers and studios
Support the real-world implementation of child-centred design principles across digital play environments
With digital play becoming an increasingly significant part of childhood (nine in ten children play online games*), the LEGO Foundation has committed $4.9m to the next phase of RITEC. As a founding partner, the LEGO Group will contribute expertise and guidance from over 30 years of creating safe digital experiences for children.
Thomas Davin, Global Director, UNICEF Office of Innovation, said:
"The gaming industry reaches more children than almost any institution on earth. RITEC is how we work together to make sure that reach becomes an opportunity - designing children's well-being into every experience, where it belongs”.
Joe Savage, Head of Impact & Evidence at the LEGO Foundation, said:
"We believe that research should not stop at insight - it should shape how experiences are designed for children. Through this new phase of RITEC, we are proud to support partners working to embed evidence-based approaches into digital play, so more children can benefit from safe, inclusive and meaningful experiences.”
RITEC reflects a shared commitment among partners to advance children’s rights and well-being in digital spaces and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting responsible, child-centred innovation.
The LEGO Group co-founded RITEC with UNICEF in 2021, with funding from the LEGO Foundation. Earlier phases of the initiative included three years of research, which engaged thousands of children globally and led to the creation of practical tools to help designers foster outcomes such as autonomy, creativity, emotional regulation, safety and inclusion in digital play.
By supporting this next phase, the LEGO Group continues its commitment to help build a digital future where children everywhere can learn, create and thrive through play.
