As families increasingly rely on digital platforms to stay connected, new cybersecurity risks are emerging alongside the convenience, according to a global study released by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.
The research shows that digital communication has become central to modern family life. Around 86% of people now use messaging apps to stay in touch with relatives, while 58% regularly make video calls. Nearly 44% of families share streaming service accounts, highlighting how online tools are reshaping everyday interactions across generations.
Messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and Viber dominate family communication, with people aged 35 to 54 leading the trend. Nearly 89% of respondents in this age group rely on instant messaging to stay connected. Video calls, while popular, trail behind text-based communication.
Younger users aged 18 to 34 are more inclined to exchange memes and social media posts with family members, a habit embraced by 53% of respondents overall. The study suggests humour and shared online content have become an important part of digital family bonding.
Older family members, particularly those above 55, remain comparatively less digitally active, though their use of messaging apps is close to the global average. However, Kaspersky warns that this group may be more vulnerable to cyber threats due to lower awareness of scams, phishing and online fraud.
Entertainment habits are also shifting online. About 70% of families prefer watching movies together, often through shared streaming accounts. While convenient, cybersecurity experts caution that shared logins can expose entire households to risk if one device is compromised. Password reuse across multiple platforms further increases the chances of financial fraud and identity theft.
“As our family life moves more and more online, it brings amazing ways to stay close—but also new risks,” said Marina Titova, Vice President for Consumer Business at Kaspersky. She warned that children and older relatives are particularly vulnerable and stressed the need for collective digital responsibility within families.
Kaspersky recommends practical safeguards such as using unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding suspicious links, and adopting password managers for shared accounts. The firm also advises families to educate elderly members and children about common online scams.
The study, conducted in November 2025, surveyed 3,000 respondents across 15 countries, underscoring that while digital connectivity strengthens family ties, it also demands stronger awareness and cybersecurity practices to keep loved ones safe in an increasingly online world.
