31/03/2026

LYFE TUESDAY | MAR 31, 2026

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Malaysian Paper

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Technology transforming family life O VER the past 10 years, families have experienced shifts in structure and a perceived increase in o Survey shows openness to artificial intelligence, robots, virtual reality

fragmented interactions at home, largely driven by the pervasive use of technology and changing social norms. What does the next decade hold in store? According to a global survey by Kaspersky’s market research centre, an overwhelming 81% of people, including Malaysians, believe digitalisation will fundamentally alter families’ joint pastimes within the next decade. This shift points to a future where bonding is mediated by advanced technology, creating new rituals and challenges in equal measure. Screen time is family time, but it has its risks Nearly half (48%) of all respondents envision artificial intelligence (AI)-powered bedtime stories becoming a norm, a figure that rises to 53% among 18–34 year olds. Today, apps and smart devices offer AI-narrated tales with customisable characters and plot twists. For the busy parent, it presents a novel aid, for the child, an endlessly patient, interactive storyteller. Meanwhile, with 31% of families anticipating children opting for digital pets over real ones, it seems that “man’s best friend” just got its first update. In Malaysia, the survey also suggests growing openness towards technology shaping everyday family routines. Around 54% of respondents say they would use AI tools to tell bedtime stories to their children, while 42% of them expect home robots to become part of family in the future. Beyond convenience, such technologies are increasingly seen as tools that could assist with childcare and companionship within digitally connected households. It should be noted, however, while AI has the potential to enrich a child’s life, it necessitates vigilance. When children interact with AI, for stories or learning, parents must be proactive. Select services with strong privacy policies that do not unnecessarily store or misuse a child’s data or voice interactions and further enhance control with digital parenting assistants such as Kaspersky Safe Kids to restrict content and balance screen time. Parents would be well placed to treat AI interactions as a new digital playground where they can use parental controls to limit session duration, choose vetted, age appropriate AI story platforms and most importantly, maintain an open dialogue about what these stories are and how they are created. Explain to children that an AI is a tool, not a friend, and encourage them to report any strange or uncomfortable interactions, just as they would in the physical world. The key is to ensure AI complements human interaction, not replaces the comfort of a parent’s voice. Blowing out digital candles Another 43% predict family celebrations migrating to video call

Family life in Malaysia is fast evolving with digital technology, with 54% of parents open to using AI tools

for bedtime storytelling.

point. To keep things secure, change default passwords immediately, ensure all device firmware is regularly updated and segment your home network. As robots, AI and VR devices become part of the family circle, security must be foundational, not an afterthought. The accelerating pace of technology is not fragmenting the family but redefining its shared spaces. 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. “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. As these digital experiences become more integrated into family routines, it is also increasingly important for parents to understand how these innovations shape children’s online environments and ensure digital safety keeps pace with this growing convenience. Simple steps such as setting clear digital boundaries, using parental controls and choosing a trusted cybersecurity solution can help families enjoy the benefits of technology while developing safer digital habits at home,” said Chee Choon Hong, consumer channel of APAC at Kaspersky.

When children interact with AI, for stories or learning, parents must be proactive. – ALL PICS FROM 123RF

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ago, the type of generative AI being used today was not widely anticipated. This fragmented outlook highlights that the future of family digital activity will not arrive as a uniform wave, but as a series of adoptions shaped by cultural openness and digital infrastructure. This evolving landscape presents new vectors for risk within the most intimate of spaces – the smart home.

formats as a standard, not an exception, a trend accelerated by recent global events but now seen as a permanent fixture for dispersed families. In Malaysia, 56% of respondents believe that celebrating through video calls will become a common practice in the future. Meanwhile, a daring 26% can imagine taking family vacations entirely in virtual reality. This sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but then 10 years

tomorrow’s family Equally striking is 43% of respondents foresee home robots as family members. Moving beyond voice activated personal assistants or autonomous vacuum cleaners, these would be embodied AI companions capable of tutoring, playing games or providing companionship. In the eyes of hackers, however, every new device, from a VR headset to a robot nanny, is a potential entry