Designing digital apps for young people is designing for change. Paths are not linear.

For young people who are not yet aware of the potential downsides of online services, digital app developers and designers might provide support through intervention, while also providing educational opportunities to learn about potential downsides and build skills in the background. For those with low self-efficacy, ongoing consistent support is important to help build skills and become more empowered; the level of support might reduce thoughtfully as self-efficacy and autonomy increase over time.

Just because some older teens are more autonomous, for example, it doesn’t mean they don’t need support. For example, their needs might be more centered on on-demand support and education when a specific occasion arises. A sense of autonomy may also lead to complacency before they have sufficient life experience. As teens who might be more familiar with digital experiences or be more mature, it’s important to also give them the opportunity as role models to share their knowledge with younger teens - since we’ve learned that younger teens appreciate learning from their older peers or siblings as well.

Digital app developers and designers can help support young people with guardrails and facilitate their best interests towards safe and increasingly independent interactions online.

Education is not a one-time experience in real life, which means it can’t be a one-time experience online either. Learning is an ongoing, evolving process.

Learning is also a fast-changing process for young people. In order to provide robust education about personal safety and privacy online, digital app developers and designers should build experiences that meet young people where they are, speak to their distinct needs, and support their journey with proactive educational experiences that change over time and help teens to set their own limits.

Guardians may often feel they lack the context to understand their teens’ online experiences. They need help to demystify digital apps and social technologies. They also need lightweight ways to supervise their teens that enhance communication between teens and parents. The right insights can make conversations around social technology more productive.

Young people can be sophisticated online, often managing several apps at once. They adapt the way they present themselves, communicate with others, and share depending on the context and audience as they mature.

As digital interactions become more complex, digital app developers and designers must find new ways to make sure that managing their online lives doesn’t become a burden or source of anxiety or threat to their privacy and safety.

Digital app designers and developers must consider and accommodate for the complex relationships young people can have with friends as well as family members including parents or guardians.

As product makers we need to demonstrate to young people transparency & control over their own data and its impact on their lives. We need to strongly consider the best interests of the child as the guiding principle even if young people are providing self-consent.

Young people can be sophisticated online, often managing several apps at once. They adapt the way they present themselves, communicate with others, and share depending on the context and audience as they mature.

As digital interactions become more complex, product makers must find new ways to make sure that managing their online lives doesn’t become a burden or source of anxiety or threat to their privacy and safety. Digital products can support young people in making safe choices within healthy guardrails.

Digital products must consider and accommodate for the complex relationships children can have with friends, teachers as well as family members including parents or guardians.

Additionally, we need to empower young people with guardrails and support to facilitate their best interests towards safe and increasingly independent interactions online.

As product makers we need to demonstrate to young people transparency & control over their own data and its impact on their lives. We need to strongly consider the best interests of the child as the guiding principle even if young people are providing self-consent. Design for complex family relationships and increasing autonomy.