Ethical Considerations of Applying Robots in Kindergarten Settings: Towards an Approach from a Macroperspective
This academic article argues that child-robot interaction (cHRI) research in kindergartens must move beyond a narrow microperspective focused solely on immediate learning outcomes and usability. The authors analyze ethical, legal, and social implications across four areas: the kindergarten institutional setting, children as a vulnerable group, the role of caregivers, and pedagogical concepts. They advocate for a macroperspective that considers institutional goals, social norms, trust, and stakeholder involvement before deploying robots in early education settings.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Researchers, developers, and educators working with child-robot interaction should read this to understand the broader ethical and institutional impacts of deploying robots in early education.
What the document contains
The document addresses the ethical, legal, and social implications of introducing socially interactive robots into kindergarten settings. It evaluates the impact of robots on institutional trust, group dynamics, children's vulnerability, autonomy, and relationship-building, while highlighting the necessary roles of caregivers and pedagogical alignment.
The paper does not provide statutory regulations, binding codes of conduct, or formal regulatory enforcement mechanisms, focusing instead on academic critique and methodological recommendations for researchers.
- Child-robot interaction research in kindergartens needs a broader macroperspective that accounts for institutional norms and goals beyond individual learning outcomes.
- Children are a vulnerable group who require special safeguards regarding informed consent, autonomy, and potential emotional attachment or deception.
- The institutional trust between parents, educators, and children can be disrupted if socially interactive robots are poorly adapted to everyday kindergarten routines.
- Legal and safety dimensions, including liability, data privacy, and physical safety, remain insufficiently addressed in current cHRI research.
- The presence of familiar caregivers or educators is critical to support children during interactions and help repair communication breakdowns with robots.
1. Introduction 2. Ethical Aspects of Human-Robot Interaction 3. Kindergarten as an Institution 4. Children as a Vulnerable Group 5. Role of the Caregiver 6. Pedagogical Concepts 7. Conclusions
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
2/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
For the future, we urgently need to clarify the question of who (designer, producer, researcher, user, etc.) is liable in what situations
3.2.2 Liability
screening score · 2026-10-24
Fairness
2/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
This fact inevitably leads to a divide within the group. Thus, one part of the group is excluded—a state that is atypical for kindergarten
3.1 Institution as a Shelter
screening score · 2026-10-24
Human Dignity
2/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
children are a vulnerable group whose perception, communicative needs, and emotions are different than those of adults
1 Introduction
screening score · 2026-10-24
Human Oversight
2/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
For this reason, they should not be used in kindergarten settings without human experts to monitor their work and effects.
3.2.1 Safety
screening score · 2026-10-24
Privacy
2/5Protection of personal data and private life
The use of social robots in a kindergarten could also affect not only the privacy of the children, but also the privacy of their educators and parents.
3.2.3 Privacy
screening score · 2026-10-24
Enforcement
0/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
N/A
screening score · 2026-10-24
Impact Assessment
3/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
we argue that it is important to start developing a systematic approach to identify and tackle those ethical issues
Abstract
screening score · 2026-10-24