Kaspersky, a cybersecurity firm that develops anti-malware and digital privacy software, recorded a shift in youth online behavior during the first two months of 2026. According to anonymized telemetry data from the Kaspersky Safe Kids application, artificial intelligence tools now account for a quarter of all Google searches conducted by children worldwide. Google, a search engine and technology provider operated by Alphabet, processed search queries that demonstrate high engagement with generative platforms. The data indicates that products such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Character.AI, Grok, DeepSeek, and Microsoft Copilot, an application from the enterprise software corporation Microsoft, rank among the top artificial intelligence services for this demographic.
“Your child is almost certainly using AI tools - and may be more comfortable with them than you are. Rather than restricting access outright, the most effective approach is to explore these tools together, set boundaries around their use, and help children understand what AI can and cannot do reliably. Kaspersky Safe Kids can support parents in monitoring and guiding their children's digital journey without relying on blunt restrictions alone,” said Anna Larkina, web content analysis expert at Kaspersky.
Communication queries rank second in overall search volume. This category is driven by platforms such as Instagram, a photo-sharing network owned by the technology conglomerate Meta, and TikTok, a video hosting service operated by ByteDance. The image discovery engine Pinterest also generates high search traffic. Video streaming services follow communication tools, led by Netflix, a subscription entertainment company, and the Google-owned video network YouTube.
Regional data from South Africa mirrors these consumption patterns. Amid high internet penetration rates across the country, children access digital platforms at younger ages. Within the South African market, YouTube captures a third of all application time among children. WhatsApp, a cross-platform messaging service operated by Meta, and TikTok are the second and third most utilized applications in the country.
When examining specific content preferences on YouTube, music queries generate the most search traffic. This category features high query volumes for K-pop content as well as individual creator channels and cartoons. Sports also generate search volume among this demographic. Global queries for sporting events and organizations focus on the Premier League, Arsenal F.C., the National Basketball Association season, and the 2026 Winter Olympics. To manage digital exposure, Kaspersky recommends utilizing security software to prevent malicious file downloads during gaming sessions and tracking online activity to manage screen time.
