LAHORE – YouTube was the most popular mobile app among children in Pakistan during the first eight months of 2026, accounting for 31.2 per cent of their app activity, according to an analysis by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.
Instagram ranked second, accounting for 18.8pc of app activity, followed by WhatsApp at 17.4pc, according to the analysis.
Facebook accounted for 10.8pc, while TikTok ranked fifth with 5.7pc.
Kaspersky said multiplayer games were also among the 10 most visited online resources used by children in Pakistan. Roblox was accessed by children on both smartphones and computers.
The cybersecurity firm warned that multiplayer games and communication platforms can expose children to contact with strangers. It said these interactions can create risks including online grooming, phishing, blackmail and attempts to involve children in harmful or illegal activities.
Kaspersky also highlighted the potential misuse of generative artificial intelligence to create deepfakes for cyberbullying.
According to the company, photos, videos and other material shared online can be repurposed to create fabricated content. Such material can potentially affect children’s privacy and digital reputations.
Andrey Sidenko, Kaspersky’s head of child online safety, urged parents to discuss online risks with their children.
He advised parents to tell children not to share sensitive information or personal photos online. He also recommended that children avoid interacting with strangers and not keep online conversations secret from trusted adults.
The findings were based on anonymised Kaspersky Safe Kids data covering children’s app use on Android devices and desktop computers during the first eight months of 2026.
Key Points:
- YouTube accounted for 31.2 per cent of app activity among children in Pakistan during the first eight months of 2026, Kaspersky says.
- Instagram ranked second with 18.8pc, followed by WhatsApp at 17.4pc.
- Facebook accounted for 10.8pc of activity, while TikTok made up 5.7pc.
- Kaspersky said multiplayer games such as Roblox were also among the 10 most visited online resources used by children.
- The cybersecurity firm warned of risks including online grooming, phishing, blackmail and deepfakes.
