RIYADH — Around 65 percent of children in Saudi Arabia under the age of 15 are exposed to films, games, or other content that is not appropriate for their age group, according to a recent research report released by King Khalid Foundation.
The report titled “The next generation of Saudis: childhood in Saudi Arabia,” was based on a survey conducted by the Saudi Center for Public Opinion Research on a representative sample of Saudi society in 2025. The survey was jointly funded by the King Khalid Foundation, the Saleh Kamel Humanitarian Foundation, and the Al-Muhaidib Foundation for Community Service.
The report further indicated that children engaging in electronic gaming environments are exposed to interactions with individuals of varying ages, as well as language and topics that are not suitable for their developmental stage. The findings also revealed that some parents are increasingly accepting the concept of digital friends for their children and even support their communication with such virtual companions.
At the same time, certain children have developed negative perceptions of this form of friendship due to adverse experiences, while others have expressed dissatisfaction with digital friendships, citing challenges and inconsistency in communication.
Source: Saudi Gazette