STAFF REPORTER
PESHAWAR : Children in Pakistan are spending significant amounts of time on social media, messaging, gaming and other online platforms, exposing them to a growing range of digital threats, including phishing, cyberbullying, online grooming and risks associated with generative artificial intelligence, according to a new analysis by cybersecurity company Kaspersky.
Kaspersky experts examined anonymized data on children’s digital activity across the META region, including Pakistan, during the first eight months of 2026. The analysis identified the mobile applications and online resources most frequently accessed by children and highlighted potential cybersecurity risks associated with their use.
According to the findings, YouTube was the most popular mobile application among children in Pakistan, accounting for 31.2 percent of usage during the period. Instagram followed with 18.8 percent, while WhatsApp accounted for 17.4 percent. Facebook recorded 10.8 percent, and TikTok ranked fifth with 5.7 percent.
Multiplayer gaming and communication platforms also appeared among the most-visited online resources. Roblox was accessed by children on both smartphones and computers, while Discord was among the platforms used by children through desktop devices in Pakistan.
Kaspersky experts warned that multiplayer games can create additional risks because they allow children to communicate directly with other players, including strangers they have never met in real life.
Malicious actors can allegedly use deception, manipulation and psychological pressure to gain a child’s trust. In some cases, they may seek personal photographs or videos, attempt to arrange meetings outside the internet or use shared material for blackmail.
The practice, known as online grooming, remains a serious digital safety concern for children, alongside phishing, fraud and cyberbullying.
Experts also warned that the rapid development of generative AI is creating new challenges for children’s online safety. Deepfakes—manipulated or fabricated photographs and videos—can potentially be used in cyberbullying and other forms of online abuse.
Kaspersky’s Head of Child Online Safety, Andrey Sidenko, said parents should ensure that children understand basic online safety rules and feel comfortable discussing troubling experiences with trusted adults.
He advised parents to encourage children not to communicate with strangers, share personal photographs or sensitive information, or keep suspicious online conversations secret.
Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa at Kaspersky, said families should remain alert to both familiar online threats and those emerging from generative AI.
He said content posted publicly could potentially be reused to create fake images or videos, with implications for children’s privacy and digital reputation.
Experts recommend that parents maintain open communication with children about their online activities, help them develop responsible digital habits and encourage them to carefully consider what they share online. The use of parental-control and child-safety tools can also provide an additional layer of protection.
With children increasingly using social media, gaming platforms and AI-powered digital services, experts say awareness, responsible online behaviour and regular communication between children and trusted adults remain key safeguards in the digital environment.
The findings are based on an analysis of anonymized Kaspersky Safe Kids data concerning the amount of time children spent using applications on Android devices and desktop computers during the first eight months of 2026.
