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Technology

Gen Z spends more time online, but neglects mobile security

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 28 Aug 2026 28 Aug 2026

New Delhi: Gen Zs in the Asia-Pacific region are highly confident in navigating the digital world but lag older generations in adopting basic cybersecurity practices, including using antivirus software on smartphones and regularly changing passwords, a report said on Friday.

The report by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, based on a survey of about 7,200 respondents globally, found that 56 per cent of APAC Gen Zs spend more time online than offline, broadly mirroring the global trend of 57 per cent.

Smartphones are central to their digital lives, with 75 per cent of APAC Gen Z respondents identifying them as their main device for regular internet use.

While about two-thirds said they were confident about their digital abilities, only 26 per cent rated their understanding of digital threats and online safety practices as advanced.

India recorded the highest level of digital-threat awareness in the region at 35 per cent, followed by Indonesia and Malaysia at 28 per cent each. Awareness was lower in Vietnam at 24 per cent, Thailand at 23 per cent and China at 10 per cent. Despite their high digital exposure, only 22 per cent of APAC Gen Zs said they use antivirus software on mobile devices, while just 35 per cent regularly change their passwords. Both figures were lower than those recorded among Millennials, Gen X and Boomers.

The gap is particularly notable given that 90 per cent of APAC Gen Z respondents reported experiencing at least one cyber incident in the previous year. These included social media hacks, data leaks, scams and loss of access to gaming accounts.

“Familiarity should not be confused with security expertise,” said Irina Ermilova, Vice President for Consumer Product Management at Kaspersky. She said confidently navigating apps and devices does not necessarily mean users can identify scams, manage passwords securely or protect personal data.

♦ 56% of APAC Gen Z spend more time online than offline

♦ 75% use smartphones as their main internet device

♦ 22% use mobile antivirus

♦ 35% regularly change passwords

♦ 90% faced at least one cyber incident

♦ India leads APAC in digital-threat awareness at 35%

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