<![CDATA[Abstract. This study explores the ethical frameworks and guidelines in digital education research and their impact on the protection of children's rights, compared to traditional research methods. It highlights the urgency of developing robust ethical frameworks that integrate international conventions on children's rights, such as the UNCRC, to guide the design, deployment, and governance of digital educational technologies. The study also examines the critical challenges posed by AI, including algorithmic bias, data privacy issues, and the developmental suitability of AI tools. While comprehensive ethical models and policy guidelines have been proposed, significant gaps remain between these ideals and their practical implementation, especially on commercial EdTech platforms. Furthermore, the study discusses the progressive shift toward participatory, child-centered research methodologies that prioritize children's agency and authentic digital experiences. The analysis also delves into the ethical concerns surrounding AI in education, advocating for human-centered AI design, transparency, and critical AI literacy programs for children, educators, and families. In addition, the study calls for comprehensive regulatory frameworks and collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure the responsible and ethical use of technology in education. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that integrates ethical guidelines, participatory research methods, strong AI protection, and comprehensive policy enforcement to create a fair and empowering digital learning environment for children.]]>
