Children’s interest in artificial intelligence tools has seen a significant rise over the past year, with AI apps now making their way into the digital habits of young users, according to a recent report by Kaspersky. The study, which covers May 2024 to April 2025, reveals that YouTube continues to dominate as the most-used app among children globally, while AI chatbots like Character.AI are gaining traction.
The report notes that children aged 8 to 10 now spend an average of six hours daily on screens, with those aged 11 to 14 using them for up to nine hours. In Pakistan, YouTube accounted for nearly 43% of the time spent on Android devices by children. WhatsApp followed with over 16%, while Instagram, TikTok, and Roblox completed the top five.
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AI-related searches made up 7.5% of all queries by kids—more than double the previous year’s 3.19%. Character.AI was among the top 20 most-used applications, indicating that children are not only exploring AI but incorporating it into everyday use.
Video platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and Twitch remained popular, and searches for video content represented 18% of total queries. Meanwhile, gaming platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, and Poki also maintained strong appeal.
Kaspersky’s Anna Larkina pointed out that these trends show how fast children’s digital preferences evolve, adding that understanding these patterns allows parents to engage in more meaningful and secure online experiences with their children.