Pakistani children increasingly exposed to online risks, survey finds

Islamabad: A recent survey conducted by Kaspersky, a leading cybersecurity firm, has shed light on the rising online risks faced by children in Pakistan and other countries in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa regions. The study, which encompassed the digital interests and activities of children across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) region, revealed the potential dangers lurking within various digital platforms.

According to the Kaspersky experts, YouTube emerged as the most popular mobile application among Pakistani children, commanding a 31.2% share in the first eight months of 2026. Following closely were Instagram at 18.8%, WhatsApp at 17.4%, Facebook at 10.8%, and the emerging platform TikTok with 5.7%. Multiplayer games, such as Roblox and Discord, also ranked high among the top ten most visited online resources utilized by Pakistani children, both on their smartphones and computers.

Experts warn that children can encounter malicious actors across a multitude of online platforms, including gaming services. Multiplayer games pose particular risks as they facilitate direct communication with other players, potentially including those the children have never met in person. Malicious actors exploit deception, manipulation, and psychological pressure to gain a child's trust, extract personal photos or videos, arrange offline meetings, and subsequently use the material for blackmail.

They may also attempt to draw children into harmful or illegal activities, a phenomenon known as online grooming, which remains a significant threat to children's online safety, alongside phishing.

Kaspersky experts emphasize that the same fundamental safety rules that protect children offline also apply online. Parents are advised to instill in their children the importance of not interacting with strangers, sharing personal photos or sensitive information, or keeping online conversations confidential. Just as importantly, children must be aware that they can always approach a trusted adult if something makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Open communication at home is deemed one of the most effective ways to help children navigate online risks.

Andrey Sidenko, Head of Child Online Safety at Kaspersky, and Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel, both stressed the importance of parents and children understanding the most common threats, ranging from fraud, phishing, and cyberbullying to online grooming, while remaining vigilant about emerging risks related to generative AI. They also urged parents and children to develop good digital habits, carefully consider what they share online, and leverage tools such as parental control to mitigate online risks.