The price of play: A scoping review of ethical, privacy, and regulatory challenges in AI toys

This study presents a scoping review of 51 articles from 2014 to 2024 to examine AI toy-related privacy, ethical, and regulatory concerns. By integrating insights from computer science, law, psychology, and education, it provides a framework for responsible AI toy design and deployment, offering a comprehensive guide for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. By consolidating these perspectives, the study fosters an interdisciplinary understanding of AI toys, advocating for a more ethical and sustainable integration of AI in children's play and learning environments. • Reviews 51 studies on AI toy ethics and governance. • Identifies privacy, security, and inferential risks. • Reveals regulatory gaps in governing AI toys. • Calls for proactive, child-centered AI governance.