Telegram App Review: Features and Safety Concerns

Telegram is a widely used messaging app, popular among individuals and groups for its variety of communication options. However, despite its impressive features, there are significant safety concerns that parents and guardians should be aware of. Here’s a closer look at what Telegram offers and the potential risks it poses.

Telegram’s Key Features  

Telegram allows users to connect with both friends and strangers, requiring only a phone number to sign up. While it provides a range of messaging functionalities, these can also introduce safety risks, particularly for younger users. Here are some of the key features that make Telegram appealing:

1. Free Messaging and File Sharing
   Telegram enables users to send text messages, photos, videos, and documents up to 2GB, making it ideal for sharing large files. This makes conversations dynamic and convenient, but it also opens the door for users to share potentially harmful or illegal content.

2. Public Groups and Channels
   One of Telegram’s standout features is its massive group chats, which can host up to 200,000 members. Public channels and groups are available for users to join based on shared interests, such as hobbies or current events. While this fosters a sense of community, it also means users may be exposed to strangers and inappropriate content.

3. Secret Chats and Self-Destructing Messages
   Telegram offers “secret chats,” which are encrypted end-to-end and allow messages to disappear after a set time. While this ensures privacy, it also means these chats can vanish without a trace, making it difficult for parents to monitor conversations.

4. Anonymity and Nearby Users Feature
   Telegram allows users to remain relatively anonymous, only requiring a username and phone number. The “People Nearby” feature lets users connect with others who are geographically close, which can be fun but also exposes users to unknown individuals, heightening privacy risks.

What Should Parents Look Out For With This App?  

While Telegram offers a wide range of useful features, there are several concerns that parents need to be aware of to ensure their child’s safety:

1. Potential Exposure to Harmful Content
   Risk: Telegram’s public groups often lack sufficient moderation, leading to the risk of exposure to explicit content such as adult images, violent media, or hate speech. Since anyone can create and join these groups, children may inadvertently encounter inappropriate material.

2. Predation Risks
   Risk: The anonymity and ability to find local users via the “People Nearby” feature makes Telegram a potential platform for predation. Strangers can approach children under the guise of shared interests or join public groups where young users are present. Telegram has been linked to cases of child exploitation, making it important for parents to be vigilant.

3. Privacy Concerns
   Risk: By default, Telegram allows anyone to message your child unless privacy settings are manually adjusted. This lack of default protection means that kids can easily be contacted by strangers, and while privacy settings exist, they are not passcode-protected, making them easy to change.

4. Lack of Parental Controls
   Risk: Telegram does not offer built-in parental controls, making it difficult for parents to monitor their child’s activity on the app. This lack of oversight increases the chances of exposure to harmful content or interactions without a clear way for parents to intervene.

Recommendations  

Given the significant risks associated with Telegram, parents should carefully consider whether this app is appropriate for their children. If your teen insists on using Telegram, here are some steps you can take:

• Educate Your Child: Talk to your child about the dangers of sharing personal information and interacting with strangers online. Make sure they understand the risks associated with public groups and anonymous messaging. Encourage them to avoid joining unknown groups and interacting with people they don’t know.
  
  To reinforce these lessons, consider enrolling them in our Digital Citizenship course. This program is designed for students in 1st through 3rd grade and 4th through 8th grade, equipping them with the skills they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. The course offers structured learning that complements the discussions you have at home, helping your child understand and practice online safety in a practical, age-appropriate context.

• Monitor Usage: Regularly check your child’s usage of the app, including the groups they join and the people they chat with. While Telegram doesn’t offer parental controls, staying involved in your child’s online activities is key to keeping them safe.

• Explore Safer Alternatives: Encourage your child to use messaging apps that provide more comprehensive privacy and safety features, such as WhatsApp or Messenger Kids, which offer stronger controls over who can contact your child.

• Enable Safety Features: If your child uses Telegram, make sure to adjust the privacy settings so that only trusted contacts can see their phone number, profile picture, and last seen status. Consider disabling the “People Nearby” feature to prevent unwanted interactions with strangers.

• Use OurPact for Better Control: OurPact is excellent tool for managing your child’s screen time and ensuring their online safety. OurPact’s View Feature takes periodic or on-demand screenshots of what your child is viewing on their device. Gaining this visibility will allow you to have honest conversations about digital usage, short and long-term impact of social media and responsible online usage. This app also allows you to set up schedules that block screen time during school hours or bedtime, ensuring your kids stay focused when they need to. With OurPact, you can decide which apps your kids can use, instantly block devices to prevent distractions, and reward good behavior with extra screen time. The app also features a Family Locator to help you keep track of your kids’ whereabouts and sends alerts when they arrive at or leave certain places. Additionally, OurPact blocks adult content and promotes healthy screen habits by allowing you to set time limits. You can also monitor your children’s online activities by taking remote screenshots.

Conclusion  

Telegram offers a powerful and versatile messaging platform, but it comes with risks that parents need to be aware of. The lack of privacy protection, exposure to harmful content, and absence of parental controls make it a less-than-ideal option for younger users. By staying informed and proactive, parents can help their children navigate Telegram and other digital spaces more safely. While the app may be useful for some, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits against the potential dangers before allowing your child to use it.