How to report abuse, grooming or harmful content on Telegram
A UK parent's walkthrough for reporting chats, channels, groups and users on Telegram, plus the UK reporting routes when a child is at risk.
Telegram is a messaging and channel platform with weaker moderation than mainstream social apps. Public channels and large groups can expose children to scams, sexual content, grooming and contact from strangers. Reports are handled via in-app reporting and an abuse email; serious safeguarding concerns must also be escalated to UK authorities.
This page walks through the in-app report flow, what to save first, and the UK routes (CEOP, IWF, police, NSPCC) that sit outside the platform. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 before doing anything else.
How to report inside the app
Save evidence before you report
Forward the offending message to your own Saved Messages, then screenshot the chat header (showing the username/handle) and the message itself. Copy the @username and the t.me/ link from the user or channel profile.
Report a user
Open the user's profile, tap the three-dot menu, choose Report. Pick the closest reason (Child abuse, Violence, Spam, Other) and add a short note in English.
Report a channel or group
Open the channel or group, tap the title bar to open Info, tap the three-dot menu, choose Report. Submit the reason that most closely matches the harm.
Report sexual content involving a child
Use the in-app Child abuse category. Also email [email protected] with the t.me/ link, do NOT include the image. Report the URL separately to the Internet Watch Foundation at iwf.org.uk.
Escalate outside the app
For grooming or sexual content involving a child, report to the National Crime Agency's CEOP Safety Centre at ceop.police.uk and call 101 (or 999 if a child is in immediate danger). For scams or sextortion, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Tell the child and the school
Reassure the child, explain calmly what you are doing, and tell the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead so they can support during the school day.
Leave the chat — but only after evidence is saved
Use Delete chat to remove the conversation from your child's device. Telegram's secret chats can auto-delete on both sides, so capture screenshots first.
Evidence to save
- Screenshots of the message, post or profile, showing the username clearly.
- The exact URL or profile link, copied from the app's share menu.
- The full username and display name of the person involved.
- Date and time of each incident, recorded in UK time.
- A short timeline note of what happened, written while it is fresh.
- Save evidence BEFORE you block or delete: blocking can remove your access to the chat.
Save evidence BEFORE blocking the account: once blocked you may lose access to the messages.
What not to do
- Do not reply to, threaten or confront the person who has caused harm.
- Do not delete the chat, message or account before evidence has been saved.
- Do not share screenshots of abusive content on social media or in parent chats.
- Do not promise your child you will keep what they tell you a secret.
- Do not wait to see if it stops on its own if grooming or sexual content is involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
This guidance is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for emergency services or professional safeguarding support. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) now.