92% of people in the UAE believe digitalization will reshape shared family activities over the next decade

According to a global survey conducted by Kaspersky’s market research center, an overwhelming 92% of people in the United Arab Emirates believe that digitalization will fundamentally reshape shared family activities over the next decade. From everyday routines to major milestones, technology is expected to play an increasingly central role in how families connect.

More than half of respondents (53%) expect AI-powered bedtime stories to become a normal part of daily life. At the same time, with 33% of UAE families anticipating that children may choose digital pets over real ones, it seems that ‘man’s best friend’ just received its first upgrade.

This shift extends beyond the home. Some 65% predict that family celebrations will migrate to video calls as the norm rather than the exception, while 41% can imagine family vacations taking place entirely in virtual reality. Nearly half (48%) also foresee home robots evolving from household tools into fully-fledged members of the family.  

Calls for vigilance

While acknowledging AI’s potential to enrich family life, Kaspersky has also urged vigilance in response to its findings. The research, conducted in November 2025, surveyed 3,000 people across 15 countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.  

The company advises parents to choose services with strong privacy policies that avoid unnecessary storage or misuse of children’s data and voice interactions, while enhancing control through digital parenting assistants such as Kaspersky Safe Kids to manage content access and balance screen time. 

Kaspersky also recommends that parents immediately change default passwords, regularly update device firmware, and segment their home networks. For added protection, Kaspersky Premium with a Smart Home Monitor provides 24/7 scanning of users’ home Wi-Fi networks, displaying a full list of connected devices—including device type, Operating System, and IP address—and issuing alerts whenever a new or unknown device connects.

“The accelerating pace of technology is not fragmenting the family but redefining its shared spaces,” said Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel for META at Kaspersky. “The future, as seen by the global majority, is one where digital and physical experiences blend to create new forms of togetherness, from a grandparent joining a birthday party via hologram to a child caring for a digital pet with a sibling across the globe.” 

“The challenge and opportunity lie in building secure digital environments with intention, ensuring they are safe, respectful, and ultimately, tools that bring us closer,” he added.

*The study was conducted by Kaspersky’s market research center in November 2025. 3000 respondents from 15 countries (Argentina, Chile, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, UK, United Arab Emirates) took part in the survey.