Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky revealed that Filipino kids spend most of their time online, and on mobile platforms where ‘fake news’ is considerably rampant.
Kaspersky’s data showed the top five mobile platforms where Filipino children spend their time, including YouTube (26.46%), TikTok (16.75%), messaging app Facebook Messenger (16.07%), online multiplayer game Roblox (13.67%), and Facebook (9.11%), concluding that children were “extremely interested in video content right now.”
These numbers are derived from their reviewed anonymized data from January to March 2022 such as search queries, most popular Android apps, and website categories provided by Kaspersky Safe Kids users.
Kaspersky Safe Kids is a module in select Kaspersky products and it serves as a standalone multi-platform solution parents may use to protect their children from undesirable content.
Other apps listed on Kaspersky’s data also showed Chrome browser (6.39%), YouTube Kids (3.54%), Netflix (3.08%), fps game Call of Duty (2.56%), and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (2.37%) are among the Filipino kids’ favorite apps and games.
The global ranking remains the same with YouTube still sitting at the top with 31.6% followed by TikTok at 19%. However, WhatsApp is at third place with 18% followed by Roblox at 7.5%, and Chrome at 7.3%.
Kaspersky explained that children’s search activity is the “best indicator of their interests.” Thus, parents may have a better understanding of their kids’ current interests and passions.
“As one of the world’s most active digital citizens, it is no surprise that the Filipino children are enthusiastic explorers of the digital world themselves,” said Sandra Lee, Kaspersky Managing Director for Asia Pacific.
“Although, having not gone back physically to school since the pandemic, I understand that the majority of these kids are relying on the Internet not just for study but also for play and entertainment, most likely because of remote learning blues,” Lee explains contextualizing distance learning setup since the closing of schools in 2020 until now.
“We encourage parents to stay informed and commit to sitting down with their kids extensively as it’s an effective way to keep their children responsible and safe digital citizens,” Lee added.
