Global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky (https://www.kaspersky.com/) recently hosted a Media Family Day at its Cyber Investigation Centre within KidZania Mumbai. The event, a continuation of a similar initiative previously held in Delhi NCR, aimed to equip children and parents with practical cybersecurity skills and raise awareness about evolving digital risks, particularly concerning the increased use of AI tools among young users in India.

The initiative underscores the growing interaction Indian children have with AI technologies and the broader internet. Data compiled by Kaspersky for the first half of 2026 indicates that ChatGPT ranked as the seventh most-used application among children in India, with a 2.41% share of app usage. It trailed platforms such as YouTube (30.68%), WhatsApp (29.14%), Instagram (10.24%), Chrome (9.35%), Facebook (2.55%), and Brave (2.50%). Other AI chatbots did not feature in the top 10, placing ChatGPT as the sole AI tool in this category.

Kaspersky and KidZania: Changing Digital Landscape for Children

Kaspersky’s annual report on children’s digital interests, based on anonymized data from Kaspersky Safe Kids users between May 2025 and April 2026, revealed a significant shift in online behavior. AI-related apps and services climbed from sixth to third place in children’s Google searches, with tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek becoming prominent. Online learning platforms such as Google Classroom, Duolingo, and GeoGebra also entered the top five Google queries. This contrasts with a decline in video streaming, which fell from 18% to 8.7% year-on-year. Communication remained the most popular category at 19.3%, followed by video games at 16%.

Purshottam Bhatia, Head of Consumer Business – South Asia at Kaspersky, highlighted the importance of familial engagement in cybersecurity education. “When families learn about cybersecurity together, these lessons extend beyond the event,” Bhatia stated. “With AI tools now integrated into children’s daily routines, often accessed on smartphones without direct supervision, the discourse around online safety is more critical than ever. This conversation must originate at home.”

Tarandeep Singh Sekhon, Chief Business Officer, KidZania India, emphasized the experiential learning aspect of the initiative. “Cyber safety is an essential life skill that families need to grasp collectively,” Sekhon remarked. “The Kaspersky Cyber Investigation Centre enables children to assume the role of cyber investigators, solve simulated cases, and identify online threats through practical engagement, fostering a shared understanding among families.” For more insights on digital trends and security, explore latest tech appliance news (https://technosports.co.in/).

Hands-On Cybersecurity Education

The Cyber Investigation Centre at KidZania offers a unique role-playing experience where young participants engage in simulated cyber cases involving phishing, identity theft, and cyberbullying. Operating at workstations equipped with Kaspersky security software, children learn to identify online threats, practice safe browsing habits, and respond to various cyber scenarios akin to cybersecurity professionals. Each 20-minute session accommodates up to six children, with participants earning virtual currency (KidZos) and a personalized Cyber Investigator card upon successful completion of their cases. The center, initially launched in Mumbai in April 2026, has since expanded to KidZania Delhi NCR.

Parental Guidance for Digital Safety

In light of these digital trends, Kaspersky advises parents to adopt several practical measures:

* **Maintain Open Communication:** Regularly discuss online activities with children and establish clear digital ground rules to encourage them to report concerning online experiences.
* **Extend Controls to Mobile Devices:** Apply content filters and parental controls on smartphones, where exposure to potentially harmful content is often highest. Kaspersky Safe Kids, for instance, provides tools for web content filtering and screen time management across various operating systems.
* **Educate on AI Limitations:** Teach children to verify information provided by chatbots, avoid sharing personal details with AI tools, and exercise caution with user-created bots.
* **Identify Manipulation Tactics:** Explain warning signs of phishing, such as unexpected links, prize offers, or urgent requests received via messaging apps, games, or email.
* **Review Settings Periodically:** Adjust controls and privacy settings as children mature and their digital app usage evolves. Resources like Kaspersky’s Cybersecurity Alphabet can assist in introducing basic cyber hygiene concepts.