In this episode of Into the Digital Future, Shuli Gilutz speaks with Jordan Shapiro and Laura Higgins about the Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RITEC) initiative, led by The LEGO Group and UNICEF and funded by the LEGO Foundation. They discuss the RITEC-8 framework, developed through research conducted with over 750 children in 18 countries. Shuli discusses the release of the RITEC Design Toolbox, which has been created as a set of tools for design teams to support their integration of these ideas in their work designing digital play. Tune in to learn how well-designed digital play experiences can help foster children’s well-being.

Lucha Sotomayor, distinguished child participation expert and digital rights advocate, joins Laura and Jordan for an impactful conversation on enhancing child safety online. Lucha brings her experiences from her significant role in the United Nations Protection through Online Participation (POP) project, an initiative aimed at utilizing the Internet as a tool for child protection and empowerment. She discusses the intricacies of the project and how it's changing the way we understand children's online experiences. Together, they delve into the current dynamics of online youth participation and the proactive measures being implemented through POP to promote their safety and rights.

Jaspal Sandhu, Executive Vice President at Hopelab, discusses the organization's impactful work in youth mental health and well-being. With a strong focus on equity for LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color, Jaspal delves into the positive possibilities of technology and the importance of involving young people as active partners in shaping solutions within the responsible technology movement.