33% of UAE Children Play Inappropriate Games, Survey Finds

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A recent survey conducted by Kaspersky in collaboration with the UAE Cyber Security Council has revealed that 33% of parents across the UAE believe their children are playing computer games that are not suitable for their age. The survey shows that boys are more likely to disregard age restrictions, with 50% of boys compared to 43% of girls playing games that violate age guidelines.

Interestingly, only 30% of children themselves admitted to playing age-inappropriate games, suggesting that either parents might be overestimating the issue or children may not always be aware of these restrictions. When broken down by gender, 78% of girls reported never violating age restrictions, compared to 64% of boys.

Computer gaming remains a popular pastime among UAE youngsters, with 91% of children engaging in games during their free time. Of these, 52% play games on their smartphones, and 40% prefer using computers. Parents estimate that 41% of children play video games every day.

Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel for META at Kaspersky, commented, “While it’s crucial for parents to ensure children maintain a healthy routine, including enough sleep and physical activity, they should not blame computer games entirely. Parents must stay proactive, be aware of the latest video game offerings, and understand the gaming preferences of their children.”

Kaspersky recommends that parents take a proactive approach to their children’s gaming habits, including the following measures:

  • Engage with your child’s games: Take an interest in what games your child plays and even try them yourself. This fosters trust and understanding.
  • Analyze gaming habits: If your child plays excessively, explore the reasons behind it and offer alternative hobbies or activities.
  • Stay informed about online threats: Educate your child on the potential risks of the internet and teach them how to recognize scams and cyber threats.
  • Use parental control software: Tools like Kaspersky Safe Kids allow parents to monitor app usage and set time limits for screen time.

The survey, titled “Growing Up Online”, was conducted by the Toluna research agency in 2023-2024, involving 2,000 online interviews (1,000 parent-child pairs, with children aged 3 to 17) in the UAE.

For more information on how to safeguard children’s digital lives, visit Kaspersky Safe Kids.