Saudi Parents More Engaged in Co-Play Than Global Peers, Ithra Study Finds
A new study by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture reveals that Saudi parents are highly engaged in their children's digital experiences.
Riyadh — Saudi parents are more likely than their global counterparts to engage in co-play with their children, according to a recent study released by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra).
The report, titled 'The Truth About Family Life in a Digital Age,' was unveiled during Sync's summit at the Global Symposium for Regulators 2025 side event held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.
Developed by Ithra's digital wellbeing initiative Sync in partnership with the Communications, Space & Technology Commission, the study provides a first-of-its-kind national look at how digital technology is reshaping family life in the Kingdom.
The findings, drawn from more than 750 Saudi participants over two years, indicate that Saudi parents are highly engaged in their children's digital experiences.
Ninety-three percent of these parents value devices for access to information and future skills development.
Moreover, most prefer games that encourage learning and co-play.
However, parents also voiced concerns about the impact of gaming on sleep (37%), physical activity (34%) and creativity (33%).
The study reveals that over 85% of participants believe technology can support education, health, and global cooperation.
Additionally, ninety percent call for stronger safeguards to protect cultural values and ninety-five percent advocate for government regulation of online content, with half of them suggesting public education campaigns as the best way forward.
Sync's summit, held under the theme 'Gen Alpha, Gen AI: Who's Protecting Our Future Generation?,' featured a keynote by Princess Nouf bint Muhammad Al Saud, CEO of the King Khalid Foundation.
The event also included panels on regulation, digital childhood, and policy frameworks.
Mussab Alsaaran, acting director at Ithra, described Sync as 'a Saudi initiative with a global mission to help people everywhere build healthier, more balanced relationships with technology.' Dr. Fahad Beyahi, head of digital wellbeing at Sync, emphasized that the report serves as a global benchmark for understanding how rapid technological development is redefining childhood.
The study concludes that Saudi families are actively shaping digital transformation while balancing progress with the preservation of cultural values.
The report, titled 'The Truth About Family Life in a Digital Age,' was unveiled during Sync's summit at the Global Symposium for Regulators 2025 side event held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.
Developed by Ithra's digital wellbeing initiative Sync in partnership with the Communications, Space & Technology Commission, the study provides a first-of-its-kind national look at how digital technology is reshaping family life in the Kingdom.
The findings, drawn from more than 750 Saudi participants over two years, indicate that Saudi parents are highly engaged in their children's digital experiences.
Ninety-three percent of these parents value devices for access to information and future skills development.
Moreover, most prefer games that encourage learning and co-play.
However, parents also voiced concerns about the impact of gaming on sleep (37%), physical activity (34%) and creativity (33%).
The study reveals that over 85% of participants believe technology can support education, health, and global cooperation.
Additionally, ninety percent call for stronger safeguards to protect cultural values and ninety-five percent advocate for government regulation of online content, with half of them suggesting public education campaigns as the best way forward.
Sync's summit, held under the theme 'Gen Alpha, Gen AI: Who's Protecting Our Future Generation?,' featured a keynote by Princess Nouf bint Muhammad Al Saud, CEO of the King Khalid Foundation.
The event also included panels on regulation, digital childhood, and policy frameworks.
Mussab Alsaaran, acting director at Ithra, described Sync as 'a Saudi initiative with a global mission to help people everywhere build healthier, more balanced relationships with technology.' Dr. Fahad Beyahi, head of digital wellbeing at Sync, emphasized that the report serves as a global benchmark for understanding how rapid technological development is redefining childhood.
The study concludes that Saudi families are actively shaping digital transformation while balancing progress with the preservation of cultural values.
