So your child wants Telegram. Maybe their friends are on it, they’re looking for anime discussion groups, or they love those fancy sticker packs. But before you say yes, you need to know what you’re getting into.
This guide will help you decide if Telegram is right for your child, how to set it up safely if you allow it, and how to supervise their activity. We’ll also cover some alternatives that might work better for your family.
Quick answer
Telegram isn’t designed for children. In the EU and UK, the terms of service require users to be 18+. App stores rate it 17+ due to mature content. Kids can easily access adult content and chat with strangers. If you still decide to allow it for an older teen, make sure to follow the setup and supervision sections below to reduce risks.
What Telegram is (and how it’s different)
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app that works across multiple devices simultaneously. Unlike some messaging apps, most Telegram chats are stored in the cloud rather than only on your phone.
Key features that make it different:
- Massive groups and channels with up to 200,000 members
- “Secret Chats” with end-to-end encryption (though these aren’t the default)
- Stories feature with detailed audience controls
- No built-in parental controls
Telegram has grown popular because it’s fast, works on almost any device, and lets users join large interest-based communities.
Age limits & ratings, explained
The fine print matters when it comes to kids’ safety:
- Terms of Service: Users in the EU and UK must be at least 18 years old. For other regions, the age requirement is less clear, but app store ratings suggest it’s not meant for children.
- App Store Ratings: Apple App Store rates it 17+, and Google Play labels it “Mature 17+”
- Verification Gap: Telegram doesn’t verify age during sign-up—users simply enter a birth date with no checks
This means even young children can create accounts despite the age restrictions.
The real risks for kids (what parents actually see)
Parents who check their kids’ Telegram accounts often find these common issues:
Contact from strangers: Users can find and message others via usernames or public groups. While Telegram removed the “People Nearby” feature in 2024, stranger contact remains possible through public spaces and invite links.
Adult content in channels: Public groups and channels can contain pornography, drug content, and scam links. Kids can find these through:
- Search results
- Invite links shared by others
- Recommendations
Disappearing messages: Secret Chats and self-destruct timers make oversight difficult. Regular chats are stored in the cloud, but Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption that prevents anyone (including parents) from seeing the content.
Fake accounts and spam: Limited identity verification makes it easy for people to create fake profiles or impersonate others. Bots can also spam users with unwanted content.
Moderation concerns: Telegram has faced regulatory scrutiny over content moderation. Australia fined the platform in 2023 for failing to address illegal content, and France opened an investigation into child protection issues.
Decide: should my child use Telegram?
Based on age, ratings, and risk factors:
Under 13: No – violates COPPA and app store age ratings 13-15: Generally not recommended – consider safer alternatives with better protections 16-17: Only with strict settings, education, and active supervision
Consider these factors in your decision:
- Your family’s values around online privacy and communication
- How your child handles online responsibility
- Your school’s policies (some prohibit Telegram use)
- The peer pressure your child might face
If you allow Telegram, lock it down (10-minute setup)
If you decide Telegram is appropriate for your teen, use these settings to increase safety:
- Turn on Two-Step Verification Settings → Privacy & Security → Two-Step Verification Creates an extra password layer + recovery email
- Hide Phone Number Settings → Privacy & Security → Phone Number → Nobody Add yourself as an exception if needed
- Limit “Last Seen & Online” status Settings → Privacy & Security → Last Seen & Online → My Contacts or Nobody Prevents strangers from seeing when your child is active
- Restrict Profile Photos Settings → Privacy & Security → Profile Photos → My Contacts Also set Forwarded Messages to Nobody to reduce account linking
- Control Groups & Channels access Settings → Privacy & Security → Groups & Channels → My Contacts Blocks random people from adding your child to groups
- Limit Calls Settings → Privacy & Security → Calls → My Contacts or Nobody Disable peer-to-peer to hide IP address
- Restrict Stories visibility When posting Stories → Set to Close Friends or Selected Contacts Never post public Stories
- Check Active Sessions monthly Settings → Devices / Active Sessions → Sign out from unfamiliar devices Prevents unauthorized access from other devices
- Keep Sensitive Content filtering ON Settings → Privacy & Security → Sensitive Content Note: This filter isn’t available on all platforms and can be bypassed
- Teach Report & Block functions Show your child how to report inappropriate users/channels and block unwanted messages For illegal content, report to the “Stop Child Abuse” reporting channel
What parents can (and can’t) monitor on Telegram
Unlike some social apps, Telegram has limitations for parental oversight:
What you can’t see:
- Secret Chat messages (end-to-end encrypted)
- Self-destructing messages after they disappear
- Deleted messages
What you can monitor:
- App usage time through device controls
- Whether Telegram is installed
- Web filtering at the device level
Use iOS Screen Time or Google Family Link to set app time limits and monitor usage, but be aware that message content in Secret Chats remains private.
Tools to help (including MMGuardian)
If you’re allowing Telegram for a mature teen, combine in-app safety settings with device-level controls:
MMGuardian parental controls app (Android & iOS) lets you:
- Block or allow specific apps like Telegram
- Set time limits for app usage
- Apply web filtering
- Get location updates and safety alerts for supported platforms
Note that MMGuardian does not currently monitor Telegram chats. Click here for a list of monitored apps.
MMGuardian Kids Phone offers an Android phone with built-in controls that let you block Telegram entirely or permit it only during certain hours.
If you’re concerned about Telegram’s risks, using MMGuardian to block the app is a straightforward solution.
Family rules & conversation starters (scripts)
If your teen uses Telegram, establish clear rules and open communication:
“Let’s talk about who’s allowed to message you. What’s our rule about accepting chats from people we don’t know?”
“What would you do if you saw inappropriate content in a channel? Let’s practice how to report and exit.”
“Remember our family rule: we never meet anyone from apps in person without discussing it first.”
“We keep Stories limited to close friends only, and we never share our location.”
Regular check-ins about online experiences help build trust and safety awareness.
Safer alternatives to consider
Instead of Telegram, you might try:
Family messaging options:
- iMessage (with Screen Time limits)
- Google Messages (with Family Link controls)
- WhatsApp (with more transparent policies for teens)
Platforms with better parental features:
- TikTok Family Pairing
- Snapchat Family Center
- Instagram Family Center
Remember that no app is completely risk-free, but these alternatives offer more oversight than Telegram.
FAQs
Is Telegram appropriate for a 10-year-old? No. Telegram’s 17+ rating and lack of child safety features make it unsuitable for pre-teens.
Is Telegram appropriate for a 12-year-old? No. The app is rated 17+ in all major app stores and contains unmoderated content.
Is Telegram appropriate for a 14-year-old? Generally not recommended. While some mature 14-year-olds might handle it with strict settings and supervision, the potential for inappropriate content and stranger contact remains high.
Can I make Telegram private? Yes, using the settings above helps make Telegram more private, but it still isn’t designed with child safety in mind.
Are Telegram messages encrypted? Only Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption. Regular chats are stored in Telegram’s cloud and aren’t fully private.
Can strangers message my child? Yes, if your child’s privacy settings aren’t locked down. Strangers can find and message users through public groups, channels, and username searches.
Does Telegram verify age? No, Telegram doesn’t verify age during registration.
What should I do if I find illegal content? Report it through the in-app reporting feature, contact the “Stop Child Abuse” channel on Telegram, and report to local authorities if necessary.
