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PrivacyTerms

Telegram

High

An encrypted messaging app with almost no content moderation — used by teens and extremist groups alike.

Ages 16+
Minimum ageNot specified
Strangers can contactwith settings
Location sharingNo
Disappearing messagesYes
Parental visibilityNone

What it actually is

Telegram is an encrypted messaging app that positions itself as privacy-focused. Unlike WhatsApp or iMessage, Telegram has public channels with millions of subscribers, group chats of up to 200,000 members, and almost no content moderation. This makes it a home for everything from legitimate privacy advocates to extremist content, drug sales, and explicit material. For teens, the risks are the open channels they can stumble into and the anonymous accounts that can contact them. Telegram usernames can be found and contacted without sharing a phone number.

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How to check if your child has Telegram

  1. Search "Telegram" on their home screen and app library
  2. Check the App Store download history

If they have it and you want to allow it

  1. Open Telegram → Settings → Privacy and Security
  2. Phone Number → Who can see my phone number → Nobody
  3. Who can find me by my number → My Contacts
  4. Last Seen & Online → Nobody
  5. Profile Photos → My Contacts
  6. Calls → My Contacts
  7. Groups & Channels → My Contacts (prevents strangers from adding them to groups)

Check their channel subscriptions

  1. Tap the search icon → look at recent searches
  2. Tap the three lines → see all joined groups and channels
  3. Any channel with unfamiliar names — ask about it

Red flags

  • Secret Chats (self-destructing messages)
  • Channels with large follower counts they can't explain
  • Unknown contacts they've added

Other apps to know about

Character.ai

High

AI companions that blur the line between friendship and fantasy — with no guardrails for emotionally vulnerable teens.

Ages 13–15Ages 16+

Discord

High

Built for gamers but now used for everything — the private servers and DMs are where the real risks hide.

Ages 13–15Ages 16+

Instagram

High

Meta's own research showed it harms teen girls — then they built it for teens anyway.

Ages 13–15Ages 16+

Last updated: Invalid Date