The LEGO Group and Epic Games released a statement today, announcing a long-term partnership with the intent to create a safe space for kids in the metaverse.
The two companies say their new venture will create a family-friendly digital experience that empowers kids to become confident creators and enjoy play opportunities in a safe and positive space. To that end they have agreed to three core principles in this endeavour, which are to:
- Protect children’s right to play by making safety and wellbeing a priority.
- Safeguard children’s privacy by putting their best interests first.
- Empower children and adults with tools that give them control over their digital experience.
In the statement published online Epic Games CEO and Founder, Tim Sweeney says, “The LEGO Group has captivated the imagination of children and adults through creative play for nearly a century, and we are excited to come together to build a space in the metaverse that’s fun, entertaining, and made for kids and families.”
While Niels B Christiansen, CEO of The LEGO Group said, “Kids enjoy playing in digital and physical worlds and move seamlessly between the two. We believe there is huge potential for them to develop life-long skills such as creativity, collaboration and communication through digital experiences. But we have a responsibility to make them safe, inspiring and beneficial for all. Just as we’ve protected children’s rights to safe physical play for generations, we are committed to doing the same for digital play. We look forward to working with Epic Games to shape this exciting and playful future.”
While not much else is known about what this project will entail, it’s certainly encouraging to see efforts being made by two global brands to ensure safety and online awareness are at the forefront of the next big online age.
