A new analysis by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has revealed the most popular apps for Pakistani children during the first eight months of 2026. YouTube topped the list with 31.2 percent of children’s app activity. Instagram ranked second with 18.8 percent, while WhatsApp took third at 17.4 percent. Facebook held 10.8 percent, and TikTok rounded out the top five at 5.7 percent.
Together, these five platforms made up almost 84 percent of children’s app activity. Social media and video apps dominate how young users spend their time online. The ranking offers a snapshot of where young users spend their screen time.
Multiplayer games also featured among the 10 most visited online resources used by children in Pakistan. Children opened Roblox on both smartphones and computers. However, Kaspersky warned that multiplayer games and communication platforms can expose children to contact with strangers. The risks include online grooming, phishing, blackmail and attempts to involve children in harmful or illegal activities.
Moreover, the company cautioned that generative AI could be used to create deepfakes for cyberbullying. Anyone could turn photos, videos and other shared material into fabricated content. Cyberbullying through fabricated media adds a newer layer to those dangers. Therefore, children’s privacy and digital reputations could suffer real harm.
Andrey Sidenko, Kaspersky’s head of child online safety, urged parents to discuss online risks with their children. He also advised children not to share sensitive information or photos. Furthermore, he told them to avoid interacting with strangers or keeping online conversations secret. Parents who follow this advice can spot trouble early.
Parents therefore need to know which platforms their children use and who they talk to. The findings rely on anonymized Kaspersky Safe Kids data from Android devices and desktop computers. That period runs from January through August 2026 and covers both mobile and desktop use. Finally, parents now have a clearer picture of the apps for Pakistani children and the risks attached to them.
