Children spend more time on screens than ever, for both entertainment and education, and designing child-friendly digital products is a unique challenge.
The widespread use of portable technology in the past 20 years has transformed the way we live and interact with the digital world.
From smartphones to tablets to gaming consoles, devices are becoming more accessible to people of all ages – including children.
As designers, how do we create engaging, safe, and user-friendly experiences for young users, while also ensuring peace of mind for parents?
We need to craft digital products that are both enjoyable and educational, without compromising on safety.
The growing role of technology in children’s lives
There’s no denying that children today are tech-savvy, and it’s not unusual for kids as young as 3 or 4 to be proficient with basic functions on a tablet or smartphone.
Many children have access to personal devices, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or gaming console, and are using them more frequently.
A 2024 study led by researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University found that “41% of survey respondents indicated their 0-36-month-old child ‘owns’ a tablet, 12% a Smartphone, 9% a TV or Smart TV, 8% have web-connected toys and 5% a gaming console.”
You can read the full report via the Edinburgh University website. (PDF.)
Technology has become an essential part of many children’s daily lives, offering them everything from entertainment to learning tools.
However, this increased tech usage comes with its own concerns, especially around safety and ‘screentime’ – the number of hours per day children (and adults) spend staring at screens.
The challenge for designers is to create digital experiences that are not only fun and engaging but also safe, educational, and mindful of developmental stages.
The differences and similarities between kids and adults
Children’s motor skills, cognitive abilities, and emotional regulation are still developing, which means they interact with technology in a fundamentally different way to adults.
For example, younger children may struggle with precise actions like typing, clicking, or using a mouse. But the proliferation of touchscreens, operated by tapping, swiping, and drawing with fingers, has made it easier for them to engage with digital products.
Kids are also naturally less patient than adults and may have shorter attention spans, making it essential to create experiences that are fast paced, engaging, and easy to navigate.
Children can have more intense emotional responses to digital experiences. They might become frustrated quickly if the experience is too complex, or not functioning as they expect.
Children’s cognitive abilities vary by age, so it’s also important to cater to different developmental stages. Younger children (aged 3 to 5) might need simpler interfaces, while older children (9 to 12) might be ready for more complex tasks.
Despite these differences, there are also commonalities between children and adults.
Both groups appreciate consistency in design and want simple, intuitive navigation. And both seek straightforward, user-friendly experiences, free of unnecessary complexity.
The importance of user-centred design
When creating digital products for children, user research is critical.
To create meaningful, effective designs in any context, you must understand your target audience’s needs, preferences, and limitations.
User research with children requires careful consideration and planning. There are more complex ethical issues to navigate, for one thing – although that should not stop you doing research altogether, as set out in the UK government digital service (GDS) guidance:
“The first consideration to make is whether conducting research with children and young people is the right approach to gathering the insights you need. A common misconception is that the vulnerability of this user group means they should not be researched with… However, there is a wealth of research and guidance which suggests that conducting research with children and young people is the most ethical approach to understanding their needs, as long as appropriate consent is sought. You may wish to use the information below to help make a case for conducting research with children and young people.”
Kids’ needs also vary drastically across different age groups. Broadly speaking, children can be divided into three categories:
- Young children (ages 3 to 5), who are just beginning to develop basic motor skills, and whose cognitive abilities are still evolving. Design needs to be simple, with large buttons and colourful visuals.
- Middle-aged children (ages 6 to 8) who are more capable of interacting with technology, but still need a user-friendly interface that’s easy to understand. Educational apps and games are effective at this stage.
- Older children (ages 9 to 12) who are often tech-savvy and can engage with more complex interfaces. They are also developing critical thinking skills, making them a great audience for interactive learning apps.
User research methods for kids differ from adults.
It’s important to design the research process to accommodate children’s shorter attention spans and varying levels of understanding.
To conduct effective research with kids, consider the following:
- Consent – always get parental consent before involving children in research.
- Safety – the parent or guardian should be present during sessions.
- Comfort – children need a calm, reassuring researcher who can communicate clearly and make them feel in control.
- Engagement – use age-appropriate language and be patient and flexible.
- Incentives – while gift cards may work for parents, it’s also a good idea to provide small rewards for children. Make sure to discuss this with parents beforehand to ensure the incentive is appropriate.
Designing for children: key considerations
Once you’ve gathered insights from research, it’s time to apply them to your design.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when creating digital products for kids:
Use simple and playful design
Kids are drawn to bright colours, large text, and fun, engaging visuals.
Fonts should be easy to read, and the overall layout should be uncluttered.
Avoid overwhelming them with too many buttons or complex navigation.
Familiar and consistent patterns
Children thrive on familiarity.
Use established, intuitive design patterns that make it easy for them to understand how to interact with the product.
Consistent icons, colours, and layouts will make the experience more enjoyable and less confusing.
Visual and auditory engagement
Children love multimedia, so incorporate images, animations, and sounds to keep them engaged.
Don’t go overboard, though.
Too much visual or auditory input can quickly overwhelm them.
Parental control and guidance
Since parents are often the gatekeepers to children’s screen time, designing with parental control in mind is crucial.
Allow parents to monitor usage, set limits, and control access to content.
Parental input during the design and research phases will help ensure the product is aligned with both children's and parents' needs.
Accessibility
Designing for children means making sure the product is accessible to a wide range of abilities.
From children with visual or cognitive conditions, to those with a range of language skills, your design should cater to everyone who might use the product.
Features like adjustable font sizes, contrast settings, and alternative text for images can make the experience inclusive.
Customisation
Let children personalise their experience within appropriate boundaries.
Whether it’s changing the colour scheme or adjusting the interface layout, small customizations can make the product feel more personal and engaging.
Taking care and achieving balance
Designing digital products for children requires a delicate balance of fun, safety, and usability.
Understanding the unique needs of young users and applying user-centred design principles will help you create experiences that are not only enjoyable but also safe and educational.
As technology continues to evolve, keeping children at the forefront of design will ensure that we’re shaping positive, empowering digital experiences for the next generation.
There’s also another principle of user-centred design here: by designing for the least confident, least capable, and most vulnerable, we create products and services that are easier for everyone to use.
The lessons we learn from designing for children can improve the quality of all the projects we work on.
