Designing for children’s well-being requires more than good intentions—it requires research, reflection, and a willingness to rethink how products are imagined, built, and evaluated. The nine case studies in this collection offer an inside look at what that work looks like in practice.
These case studies from our 2026 Well-Being by Design Fellows document how emerging leaders across the children’s media and technology ecosystem are applying evidence-informed approaches within their own organizations. From incorporating youth perspectives into product development to reshaping internal design processes, each case study explores the opportunities, challenges, and lessons that come with putting children’s well-being at the center of innovation.
Together, these case studies reflect the momentum of a growing community committed to creating digital experiences that help children thrive. They demonstrate that research and practice are strongest when they inform one another, and that meaningful change often begins with individuals who are willing to ask better questions, test new ideas, and bring others along with them.
We are proud of this cohort for the curiosity and creativity they brought to the fellowship, and we are excited to share what they have learned with the broader field. We hope these case studies spark new conversations, inspire new collaborations, and encourage more teams to center children’s voices and well-being throughout the design process.
2026 Well-being by Design Fellowship webinar
On May 19, 2026 the Joan Ganz Cooney Center celebrated our third cohort of Well-Being by Design Fellows with a webinar bringing together designers, researchers, game developers, educators, and media creators to explore how digital experiences can better support children’s well-being. Watch the video here.
