Global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has warned that the rapid rise in online family connectivity is creating new cybersecurity risks, particularly for children and older adults, as families rely more heavily on digital platforms to stay connected.
According to a recent Kaspersky study, digital communication has become nearly universal in modern family life. The research found that 86% of people now use messaging apps to communicate with family members, while 58% regularly make video calls. Another 44% share streaming service accounts with relatives, a practice that researchers say can expose families to privacy and security vulnerabilities.
Messaging apps dominate family communication
The survey shows that messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Viber are the most common tools families use to stay in touch. People aged 35 to 54 lead this trend, with 89% reporting frequent family communication through messaging apps. Video calls, while widely used, remain less popular, chosen by just over half of respondents.
Sharing content online has also become a key bonding activity. Around 53% of families exchange memes and social media posts, with the highest participation seen among people aged 18 to 34, highlighting how digital culture is shaping intergenerational interaction.
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Older users less prepared for cyber risks
While people over the age of 55 are generally less digitally active than younger groups, the study found that 85% of them still use messaging apps to communicate with family, and 42% exchange posts or memes online. Kaspersky cautioned that despite increased online participation, older users may be less prepared to identify scams, phishing attempts, and other cyber threats.
Researchers stressed the importance of educating older family members about online safety, secure device use, and common fraud tactics.
Shared accounts create security gaps
The study also revealed that 70% of families prefer to watch movies together, with nearly half using shared streaming accounts. However, cybersecurity experts warn that shared logins and password reuse significantly increase the risk of account compromise. If one family member’s device is infected, attackers may gain access to shared accounts, potentially exposing personal and financial data.
Kaspersky recommends using password managers, unique passwords for each service, and enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible to reduce these risks.
“As our family life moves more and more online, it opens up amazing ways to stay close, but it also brings new risks like scams and hacking,” said Marina Titova, Vice President for Consumer Business at Kaspersky. She emphasized that protecting digital privacy is an essential part of caring for family members in an increasingly connected world.
The survey was conducted by Kaspersky’s market research center in November 2025 and included 3,000 respondents from 15 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
