Kaspersky’s experts have examined the digital interests and online activity of children across the Middle East, identifying the most visited web resources and popular mobile applications during the first eight months of 2026. The analysis also highlights cybersecurity threats young users may encounter on these platforms, including multiplayer online games, as well as risks driven by AI.
According to Kaspersky’s experts, YouTube (30.5%), TikTok (15.3%), and WhatsApp (13.6%) were the most popular mobile applications among children in the Middle East during the first eight months of 2026.
Multiplayer games featured among the top 10 most visited online resources in most countries across the ME region, including popular titles such as Roblox, accessed by children on both smartphones and computers and Discord, a communication and community platform, on desktop.
Experts note that children may encounter malicious actors across a wide range of online platforms, including gaming services. Multiplayer games can present particular risks, as they enable direct communication with other players, including people children may have never met in real life.
In some cases, these interactions can put children and their families at risk. Malicious actors use deception, manipulation and psychological pressure to gain a child’s trust, obtain personal photos or videos, arrange offline meetings, or subsequently use the material for blackmail. They may also attempt to involve children in harmful or illegal activities. This form of exploitation, known as online grooming, remains one of the key digital threats to children, alongside phishing.
Generative AI introduces new cyberbullying risks
The development of generative AI is also creating new challenges for children’s online safety. One emerging concern is the use of deepfakes — manipulated or fabricated images and videos — in cyberbullying.
While AI-generated content is currently involved in fewer cases than more traditional forms of cyberbullying, the rapid development of generative technologies is making digital reputation an increasingly important consideration. Photos, videos and other content shared online can potentially be repurposed to create deepfakes or other forms of fabricated content.
“The same basic safety rules that protect children offline apply online. Malicious actors may pose as peers or use information shared on social media to gain a child’s trust. Parents should encourage children not to interact with strangers, share personal photos or sensitive information, or keep online conversations secret. Just as importantly, children should know they can always turn to a trusted adult if something makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Open communication at home is one of the most effective ways to help children navigate online risks”, said Andrey Sidenko, Head of Child Online Safety at Kaspersky.
As children spend more time online across gaming platforms, social networks, messaging services and AI-powered environments, digital safety awareness is becoming increasingly important.
“Parents and children should understand the most common threats, from fraud, phishing and cyberbullying to online grooming, while also staying alert to emerging risks associated with generative AI. Content shared publicly can be repurposed to create fake images or videos, potentially affecting a child’s privacy and digital reputation. Helping children develop good digital habits, think carefully about what they share online and use tools such as parental controls, for example Kaspersky Safe Kids, can go a long way toward improving their protection”, said Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel in the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa at Kaspersky.
*These findings are based on an analysis of anonymized Kaspersky Safe Kids data on the amount of time children spent using apps on Android devices and desktop computers during the first eight months of 2026.
Image Credit: Kaspersky
Source: Tahawul Tech