Understanding Telegram: A Focus on Safety and Risks

We all must have heard about the famous messaging app named Telegram, that's taking over the digital world immensely. Apart from messaging, it facilitates users to make voice calls, video calls along with sharing photos and video files. Telegram even facilitates larger group chats, making it ideal for communities, establishments, and social gatherings.

However, some users witness scams, misinformation, and extremist content on this app, leaving them questioning its safety. Therefore, this guide is here to answer those who are wondering, “Is Telegram Safe?”

This Telegram app markets itself as a secure messaging platform because of features like multi-stage verifications and secret chats. In fact, its security features are one reason that it is used for many illegal activities. As a privacy-conscious user, you can find the following security features in Telegram:

End-to-End Encryption

The private chats on Telegram use end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the sender and receiver can read the messages. This security is applied to all content, including text, photos, and video content.

Self-Destructing Messages

By using this app, users can set messages to self-destruct after a specified time in their private chats. Plus, this feature enhances privacy by automatically removing the sensitive information from the app.

Two-Step Verification

Telegram also offers two-step verification, requiring a password and an SMS code to log in. This adds an extra important layer of security to users' accounts.

Privacy Settings

Users can customize the privacy settings and set who can view their phone number, profile, and last seen status. Furthermore, it provides options to block certain users from accessing user information.

Secret Chats and Anonymous Groups

Telegram secret chats are device specific and cannot be accessed from any other devices, eliminating concerns for privacy-conscious users. Moreover, anonymous groups don't reveal the identities of people, which even promotes privacy.

Out of concern for children, many parents ask the question, "Is Telegram safe for kids?" The answer is no because of certain potential risks linked with this app, which might negatively affect children. Below, we have mentioned some risks associated with this messaging app that can harm kids:

1. Exposure to Inappropriate Content: With such applications, there is always a possibility that kids may come across content that is beyond their age. Furthermore, they may get exposed to some violent stuff and images that may not be of their age.
2. Sharing of Private Information: This platform is not safe for kids because they might encounter people who seem friendly, but in reality, they might want their personal information. Kids, being innocent, can share their personal information, like phone numbers, private pictures, or even addresses.
3. Addiction to Screen: Telegram can be extremely addicting with all those group chats and fun content. Moreover, excessive use of screens can impact negatively on kids, especially when it comes to studies and physical health.
4. Exposure to Gambling and Betting: Telegram channels and groups may promote illegal gambling and betting activities, potentially leading children to engage in risky financial behavior.

When people ask, "Is Telegram Messenger safe?" The answer is yes, but when we consider it for kids, the answer turns out to be a big no. As we have already discussed some potential risks associated with this app, let's consider why it is not safe for kids.

Parental Controls and Supervision

Telegrams lack parental control features, which means parents have to manually monitor their kids' usage. Therefore, regular supervision of chat activities can help ensure the safety of kids. Setting clear guidelines around the app usage can also encourage responsible behavior.

Age Restrictions and Content Filtering

Although it does not have any strict age verification processes, it still recommends its users be above 16 years old. Furthermore, the app does not provide any content filtering feature that gives kids easy access to inappropriate content. It is suggested to use alternative messaging platforms that offer age-appropriate safeguards.

Risks of Online Predators and Grooming

Still hovering over the question, “How safe is Telegram?” Remember, this app can create opportunities for online stalkers to interact with children. These stalkers may groom young users by manipulating their minds, which increases the chance of potential exploitation. Therefore, it is important to educate children about the dangers of sharing personal information.

Unsafe Private Groups

In case you forgot to set up a Telegram privacy setting, your child can easily be added to harmful and private groups. These groups can contain up to 200,000 strangers who can access all the private information of the child, like pictures, phone numbers, and more. Besides, these groups are also filled with sexual stalkers and cyberbullies who might exploit the child to inappropriate content.

After reviewing the previously discussed parts, it is clear that using Telegram carries multiple risks. When wondering, "Is Telegram safe for kids?" you are advised to use Wondershare FamiSafe, a trusted parenting assistance platform.

Through it, parents can monitor their kid’s activity by setting an interval time that provides every screenshot their kids take. It can detect inappropriate content and notify the parents through a sensitive filtering option. Furthermore, get instant alerts on triggered word searches on websites or apps from your kid’s Android or iPhone.

Key Features

1. Call/Message Monitoring: Parents can stay informed of their children’s call logs and messages to ensure that they are not involved in any harmful activities.
2. Screen Control: This app can seamlessly let you control the screen time a child can have during the day since you can set customized screen limits.
3. Toxic Text Detection: FamiSafe immediately detects explicit or offensive words on social media apps and platforms, like Telegram, and blocks their accessibility.

How to Monitor the Kid’s Telegram Activity Using FamiSafe

While monitoring how safe Telegram is, follow the comprehensive instructions below to learn how to use this advanced application to track your children's activity.

Step 1. Log into the App to Monitor after Installing

Begin by downloading this dedicated application from the designated Play Store or App Store. Next, you need to launch it to access its main screen. After that, tap the Start button and log in with your Google or Apple account to receive a code.

Step 2. Download the App on Your Kid’s Phone to Connect Both Devices

Next, you need to download the FamiSafe Kid application onto your child's device and enter the code displayed on your phone. By doing this, you will have access to FamiSafe Kids on your child's phone.

Step 3. Enable Tracking Feature on Your Kid’s Phone

As a parent, you need to give this app permission to access specific features or data on your kid's devices. Select the preferred choices in each permission prompt from the application and start the tracking process.

For Android

Once the activation process has been finalized, grant the application all the required permissions and access to your child's Android device. To do this, simply follow the on-screen instructions, then tap the Enable Now button to proceed further.

For iPhone

When you press the Active Now button on the child's iPhone, you need to be sure to approve all the permissions requested by the application. Following this, link the child's phone to your computer using a USB cable and access additional features.

After connecting, go to the Settings and select the Safari option to prevent inappropriate content by hitting the Content Blockers option. Now, open the FamiSafe application and choose the Turn OnNow button to activate the content blocking feature.

Step 4. Monitor Telegram on Your Kid’s Phone

Parents can easily monitor their children's activities once they have been given permission. Using its screen viewer function, you can capture screen images at any moment. Below, we will explore how this app can help you track your children’s online activity for better safety.

1. Access the Screen Viewer Feature

Navigate to the app's main screen and tap the Features tab located at the bottom toolbar. Next, choose the Screen Viewer option located in the Device Activity section.

2. Turn On this Feature for Further Process

To proceed, tap the Enable button or navigate to the Settings tab to activate the feature. Moving forward, check the Enable Screen Viewer toggle and adjust the timing for the Interval between 5 to 30 minutes.

3. Capture Screenshots of Your Child’s Suspicious Activity

Later, you will be taken to a preview screen showing all the activities and screenshots captured from your child phone’s apps, such as Telegram. If inappropriate content access is obtained and screenshots are taken, the application will alert you. Next, you get the ability to see all suspicious screenshots in the Screen Gallery tab by turning on the Suspicious Filter feature.

In short, the simple answer to the question “Is Telegram safe?” is that it requires parental supervision for kid’s usage. Although it offers some excellent security measures, it still poses risks, especially for younger users. In such cases, tools like Wondershare FamiSafe can help parents ensure their children are using Telegram safely by monitoring conversations and detecting inappropriate content. Click here to see kid's Telegram chat history.

Q1. How safe is Telegram compared to WhatsApp?

The app offers various customizable privacy features, but WhatsApp offers better end-to-end encryption across chats, which makes it arguably more secure for casual users.

Q2. Can parents set up controls on Telegram?

Telegram does not have built-in parental controls, but third-party apps like Wondershare FamiSafe can help parents monitor and control their child’s activity on the platform.

Q3. What age is Telegram appropriate for?

According to the app's terms and services, users must be 16+. However, younger children can use it with parental supervision and additional safety measures in place.

Q4. Can kids use Telegram safely?

With proper parental supervision and tools like Wondershare FamiSafe, children can learn how to properly and safely use Telegram.

Moly Swift

staff Editor