FAMILIES today are living in a digital age where screens increasingly shape daily interactions. Over the past decade, shifts in family structures and routines, combined with technology’s pervasive role, have changed how households connect.
Looking ahead, Kaspersky’s global survey suggests that this evolution is only accelerating. An overwhelming 81% of respondents—including Malaysians—believe digitalisation will transform family pastimes over the next 10 years, introducing new rituals and challenges in equal measure.
Screen time as family time
AI-powered bedtime stories are already capturing imaginations: 48% of survey participants see them becoming a norm, rising to 53% among 18–34-year-olds.
Today, apps and smart devices can narrate stories with customisable characters and plotlines, providing parents with a novel aid and children with an endlessly patient, interactive storyteller.
Meanwhile, 31% of families anticipate children opting for digital pets over real ones, suggesting that even “man’s best friend” may be getting an upgrade.
In Malaysia, 54% of respondents would use AI tools to tell bedtime stories, while 42% expect home robots to become part of the household in the near future.
Beyond convenience, such technologies are increasingly viewed as aides for childcare, learning, and companionship.
Yet experts caution vigilance. When children interact with AI—whether through stories, games, or learning apps—parents must remain proactive.
Services with strong privacy policies should be prioritised, and parental controls can help balance screen time and monitor content.
Parents should explain that AI is a tool, not a friend, and encourage children to report anything uncomfortable, just as they would offline. The goal: AI should complement, not replace, human interaction.
Digital celebrations and virtual gatherings
The survey also points to a shift in family celebrations. Globally, 43% predict video calls will become standard for family gatherings, while 56% of Malaysians expect this trend. Even more adventurous, 26% can imagine taking entire family vacations in virtual reality—a concept that felt like science fiction just a decade ago.
The broader implication is clear: digital and physical experiences will increasingly blend. From grandparents joining a birthday via hologram to siblings caring for digital pets across continents, the ways families bond are multiplying.
The survey finds 43% of respondents foresee home robots being treated as family members, extending beyond voice assistants or robotic vacuums to AI companions capable of tutoring, playing, or providing companionship.
But every new device is also a potential security risk. Experts recommend changing default passwords, updating firmware, and segmenting home networks.
A new kind of togetherness
“What we observe is not just the growth of digital tools within households, but a shift in how families interact, learn and spend time together,” said Chee Choon Hong, Consumer Channel APAC at Kaspersky.
“As these digital experiences integrate into family routines, parents need to understand their impact and ensure safety keeps pace.
“Simple steps like setting boundaries, using parental controls, and choosing trusted cybersecurity solutions help families enjoy technology while fostering safe digital habits.”
With thoughtful adoption, technology offers families new ways to connect, learn, and play—without sacrificing safety or the human touch. ‒ Focus Malaysia
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