Start with developmental readiness
Consider the child’s age, individual abilities, language, sensory needs, prior experiences and context. Chronological age is a starting point, not a complete description of readiness.
Child Development & Safeguarding
The youngest children need the strongest safeguards.
Young children are not simply smaller users. Their developmental needs, communication abilities, emerging autonomy and dependence on trusted adults call for particularly thoughtful design and protection. Digital experiences for the youngest children must be judged in relation to the whole of childhood—not just the time spent with a device.
A child-development lens helps us move from broad intentions to decisions that reflect children’s needs, rights, relationships and everyday experiences.
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Protect relationships and responsive care
Digital tools should not displace warm, reciprocal interactions with parents, caregivers and educators. Adults need clear ways to understand, mediate and participate in children’s experiences.
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Keep play embodied and varied
Protect opportunities for movement, touch, outdoor exploration, imagination, conversation, rest and unstructured play. Digital experiences should connect with—not crowd out—these essential experiences.
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Build safety into every decision
Use data minimisation, privacy by design, age-appropriate content, accessible interfaces, clear reporting routes and robust safeguarding. Avoid manipulative engagement patterns and unnecessary profiling.
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Include families and children’s perspectives
Listen to caregivers and, in developmentally appropriate ways, children themselves. Test with diverse children and contexts before drawing conclusions about suitability.
A stronger safeguard is not simply a restriction. It is a design decision that respects how young children grow, relate, communicate and learn.
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Partnership and collaboration enquiries
Get in touch about working with PLAYS.