Why is Telegram considered riskier than other messaging apps?

Telegram has less content moderation than most mainstream platforms, hosts public channels that anyone can join (some containing harmful or extremist content), and offers secret chats with self-destructing messages that leave no trace. These features, combined with no parental controls, make it a higher-risk platform for children. On 21 April 2026 Ofcom opened an investigation into Telegram Messenger Inc. to examine whether it has complied with its illegal content duties under section 10 of the Online Safety Act 2023 in relation to child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Ofcom says it has gathered evidence of the alleged presence and sharing of such material on Telegram; these are allegations under investigation, not findings, and when we last checked on 6 November 2026 the case was still open with no outcome published.

Can I set parental controls on Telegram?

Telegram has very limited safety features for parents. There is a Sensitive Content toggle that can be enabled on some devices, but there are no built-in parental controls, supervised accounts, or family linking features. This makes open conversation and supervision particularly important.

What should I do if there is a problem on this app?

Use the app's in-app report and block tools first — this is usually the fastest way to remove content or restrict an account. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101. The NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) and Childline (0800 1111) are free and confidential. For a UK reporting decision tree, see /reporting and /tools/reporting-route-finder.

Telegram Safety Guide for Parents

What parents need to know about Telegram's channels, secret chats, and self-destructing messages — and how to keep children safe.

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app known for large public groups, channels and privacy features, used for chats, broadcasts and communities.

Official age

18+

We recommend

18+

Developer

Telegram FZ-LLC

Risks

Features to know about

Private messages Group chats Contact from strangers Public posts Disappearing messages Location sharing

Direct messaging

Location sharing

Overview

Telegram is a messaging platform known for large group chats, public channels, and strong encryption. It allows groups of up to 200,000 members and hosts public channels on virtually any topic, including some with harmful or extremist content. Its content moderation is lighter than on other mainstream messaging apps, and Ofcom opened an investigation into Telegram's handling of child sexual abuse material on 21 April 2026 (an open investigation, not a finding).

How children use it

Teenagers may use Telegram for group messaging with friends, joining public channels based on interests, or because friends have recommended it. Some children are drawn to it by the promise of greater privacy through secret chats and self-destructing messages. It is sometimes used as an alternative when other platforms are restricted. Users can share their live location in any chat, and it keeps updating for the people they share it with even when the app is closed.

Main risks

harmful content grooming online strangers group chats

Recommended privacy settings

Phone Number Visibility

Location: Settings → Privacy and Security → Phone Number

Set to: Nobody

Hides your child's phone number from other Telegram users, preventing strangers from obtaining their personal contact details.

Who Can Add Me to Groups

Location: Settings → Privacy and Security → Groups & Channels

Set to: My Contacts

Prevents strangers from adding your child to group chats or channels without their knowledge.

Forwarded Messages

Location: Settings → Privacy and Security → Forwarded Messages

Set to: Nobody

Removes the link back to your child's profile when their messages are forwarded, protecting their identity.

Parent actions

essential

Have a frank conversation about why Telegram carries higher risks than other messaging apps and set clear boundaries about its use

Time: 15 minutes

essential

Configure privacy settings to hide your child's phone number and restrict who can add them to groups

Time: 5 minutes

recommended

Consider whether your child genuinely needs Telegram and whether a safer alternative like WhatsApp would serve the same purpose

Time: 10 minutes

Related app guides

whatsapp discord snapchat

If you need to report this

In immediate danger: call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.

Concerned about a child but it's not an emergency? NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000. Childline for young people 0800 1111.

See all UK reporting pathways

Myths & facts

Myth: Telegram is basically another WhatsApp.

Fact: The look is similar but the design is very different: Telegram is built around huge public groups and channels that anyone can search and join, and its moderation has historically been far lighter than mainstream platforms. That's why scam, drug-sale and extreme-content channels circulate there more openly than on family messaging apps.

Myth: Telegram is famous for encryption, so it must be private and safe.

Fact: Ordinary Telegram chats are not end-to-end encrypted — only its Secret Chats are — and in any case encryption isn't the issue for children. The real risks are who they can meet in large anonymous groups and what gets shared there, which no amount of encryption addresses.

Myth: My child only messages friends on it, so the risky side doesn't apply.

Fact: Group invite links get forwarded into friends' chats, and a single tap puts a child in a large group of strangers. Features like disappearing messages and usernames that hide phone numbers also make the app attractive to people who don't want a record of what they send.

Age by age

8-10
This age group shouldn't be anywhere near Telegram — its own terms say users in the UK, EU countries and Australia must be at least 18 to sign up. If they've glimpsed it through older siblings, keep their own messaging on supervised family apps.
11-13
They're well below Telegram's UK minimum age of 18, but this is when peer groups sometimes migrate there precisely because parents aren't on it. If it appears on their phone, ask what moved the group there before deciding anything, and hold the line on age.
14-16
Telegram's terms set a UK minimum age of 18, so if they are already using it, set it up together: lock down who can find them by phone number and who can add them to groups, agree that channels selling anything are off-limits, and that they leave and tell you if illegal content appears in a group.
17-plus
Talk about the scam economy that thrives there — 'easy money' offers, crypto pump groups, fake ticket and ID sellers — and that disappearing messages can still be screenshotted and traced. Their judgement about which groups to be in is the real safeguard now.