From video calls and messaging apps to shared streaming accounts and memes, digital tools now define how families stay connected. New Kaspersky research highlights both the benefits of online bonding and the growing need for stronger cybersecurity awareness at home.
Digital technology has become a central pillar of modern family life, transforming how relatives communicate, bond and spend time together, according to new global research by cybersecurity company Kaspersky.
The study reveals that digital interaction is now nearly universal among families worldwide. Globally, 86 percent of respondents communicate with family members through messaging apps, 58 percent engage in regular video calls, while 44 percent share joint streaming service accounts.
In South Africa, adoption levels are even higher, with 91 percent using messaging apps, 68 percent participating in video calls, and 53 percent sharing streaming subscriptions.
Kaspersky notes that while digitalisation has made staying connected easier and more flexible, it has also introduced new cybersecurity risks that families must navigate carefully.
Messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and Viber have become the preferred communication tools for families, particularly among adults aged 35 to 54. Younger users aged 18 to 34 are also driving the growing trend of exchanging memes and social media content, with more than half of respondents globally using humour and shared digital culture as a bonding tool.
Although older family members are becoming increasingly active online, cybersecurity experts warn they may be more vulnerable to scams and social engineering attacks. Kaspersky advises families to actively educate older relatives on safe online behaviour, device protection and fraud awareness.
The research also highlights the rise of shared digital entertainment. About 70 percent of families globally watch movies together, with nearly half using joint streaming accounts. In South Africa, 78 percent of families watch movies together, while 35 percent engage in online gaming as a family pastime.
However, Kaspersky warns that shared accounts can expose families to security breaches if passwords are reused or devices are compromised. The company recommends enabling two-factor authentication, using password managers and remaining cautious of suspicious links or messages.
“As our family life moves more and more online, it opens up amazing ways to stay close, but it also brings new risks,” said Marina Titova, Vice President for Consumer Business at Kaspersky.
“Protecting digital privacy and practicing cybersecurity is an important way of caring for your loved ones.”
The survey was conducted in November 2025 among 3,000 respondents across 15 countries, including South Africa.
Source: Apo Group
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