Kaspersky warns of grooming, AI risks as WhatsApp, YouTube lead children’s app use in SA

Kaspersky analyzed children's online activity in South Africa, finding that WhatsApp accounts for 33.8% of the time spent on the top 10 apps, followed by YouTube at 26.8%. Experts warned of increasing risks including grooming, cyberbullying, sextortion, and AI-generated abuse. Platforms enabling direct communication with strangers can expose children to deception, blackmail, and illegal activities. Kaspersky advises parents to encourage children not to share personal information or interact with strangers online.