What is Telegram?

‍

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app, similar to WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. It works across iPhones and Android device and uses end-to-end encryption.

‍

Telegram allows users to send pics, videos, stickers, texts, and other files completely free.

‍

How Does Telegram Work?

‍

Similar to many other messaging apps, simply download, create an account using a phone number that can receive SMS, and begin messaging!

‍

As with most communication and messaging apps, there are great risks.

‍

What Do Parents Need to Know About Telegram?

‍

This graphic from their website explains its features, which we elaborate on below:

‍

‍

Secret Chats are possible on Telegram and encouraged. The app explains how to create a Secret Chat message – these messages are not available in the cloud and cannot be accessed on other devices – only the sending and receiving devices can access the content of the messages.

‍

Telegram has a self-destruct mode and messages with a self-destruct timer is a key feature. If you lose your device or don’t log into your account for six months, the account will automatically self-destruct. And “If you want to send messages that can vanish without a trace, try using our self-destruct timer…” the app states. This has some similarities to Snapchat and the features it offers.

‍

Telegram has a ‘nuclear’ delete option meaning a user can selectively choose messages (any message–either ones that the user wrote or that another user wrote) to permanently delete from their account and the account of whoever else was part of the chat. The user doesn’t even have to have composed the original message or started the thread to be able to delete it.

‍

Opportunities for connection with tricky people are possible. If users decide to create a username (which is public and searchable by anyone) and are concerned with broadcasting to an unlimited number of people – because “more followers is better” to most teens, this opens the door to unexpected or unwanted contacts. There is also a way to determine a user’s exact location (via triangulation) if the ‘People Nearby’ feature is activated.

‍

Telegram has video chat. This service also has end-to-end encryption.

‍

Telegram features adult content and pornography. Anyone is able to create content since this is an open-source platform so, though the app rating is 13+, the level of questionable content available is determined by those sending and receiving messages. When setting up the app, a Terms of Service box pops up and states you agree to NOT do a number of different things including “post pornographic content on publicly viewable Telegram bots or channels.” Notice the distinction of “publicly viewable,” so everything else must be considered fair game. Feb. 2018 note: Apple removed Telegram for a period of time due to the sharing of child pornography.

‍

This quote from WIRED magazine is a pretty good overview of how parents should feel about the app’s features and goals:

‍

Totally encrypted and largely unmonitored, the messaging app Telegram was created to provide uncensored communication between citizens of autocratic countries. Unfortunately, while it counts hundreds of millions of users, the platform has grown most infamous as a safe haven for terrorists.

‍

Now, a report from the political action group Hope not Hate has found that the platform is playing host to several dozen Nazi channels.

‍

How to Make Telegram Safer:

‍

Regardless of the app, three actions mitigate the risks we’ve shared. We teach these actions in our parent presentations:

‍

1. Require approval for all app downloads.
2. Follow the 7-Day Rule
3. Enable in-app controls and settings

‍

We explain each of them briefly below. If you’ve already set up approvals for downloads and have used the app, please skip to the In-App Controls & Settings.

‍

Require Approval for App Downloads

‍

You can control app stores by requiring permission for apps to be downloaded. This is ensures your child doesn’t have access to an app without your knowledge. Here are the steps (for Apple and Android users):

‍

For Apple Devices:

‍

To require permission to download an app, you’ll need to set up Screen Time and Family Sharing (Apple’s Parental Controls). We explain this process step-by-step in our Complete iOS Guide (click here).  

‍

Once Screen Time and Family Sharing are established, here’s how to require permission to download apps on an Apple device:

1. Go to your Settings app.
2. Select your Family.
3. Select the person you want to apply this setting to.
4. Scroll down to “Ask to Buy” and enable.

‍

For Android Devices:

‍

You’ll have to use Family Link (Android’s parental controls) to ensure you retain control over what apps are downloaded. We explain this process step-by-step in our Android Guide (click here).

‍

Once Family Link is established, here’s how to require permission to download apps on an Android device:

1. Go to the Family Link App
2. Select the person you want to apply this setting to.
3. Select “Google Play Store”
4. Select “Purchases & download approval” and set it to “All Content.”

‍

Follow the 7-Day Rule

‍

This is our tried-and-true method of determining whether a specific app is safe for your specific child.

‍

Before you let your child use it, download the app and use it for 7 days.

‍

Create an account with your child’s age and gender and use it for 7 days. Play through a few levels, review the ads, see if anyone can chat with you, and poke around like a curious child.

‍

After a week, ask yourself, “Do I want my child to experience what I did?”  Even if you decide to allow them to download the app, now you have a basis for curious conversations about the app when you check in.

‍

Enable In-App Controls & Settings

‍

Telegram does not have any parental controls or meaningful safety settings. See our final thoughts about the app below.

‍

Bottom Line: Is Telegram Safe for Kids?

‍

No.

‍

Telegram just isn’t safe for kids or teens. While it's rated 13+ it functions like a 18+ app.

What if I have more questions? How can I stay up to date?

‍

Two actions you can take!

‍

1. Subscribe to our tech trends newsletter, the PYE Download. About every 3 weeks, we’ll share what’s new, what the PYE team is up to, and a message from Chris.
2. Ask your questions in our private parent community called The Table! It’s not another Facebook group. No ads, no algorithms, no asterisks. Just honest, critical conversations and deep learning! For parents who want to “go slow” together. Become a member today!

‍