With 550 million users, Telegram is the sixth most widely used messaging app, according to Statista. Since 2021, Telegram’s popularity has increased, and an increasing number of users are switching from other widely used chat apps to Telegram. However, parents frequently ask us, “Is Telegram safe ( https://www.safes.so/ ) for kids? ” While millions of adults choose Telegram as their preferred chat app because of its robust security measures, it poses serious safety hazards to youngsters. As a result, we will explain the safety and health dangers of Telegram for children in this article and provide fixes to make it safe.
How Does Telegram Threaten the Safety and Health of Children?
Most adults find features like end-to-end encryption, public usernames, and disappearing messages in Telegram to be useful. However, these functionalities run the risk of endangering young Telegram users. The majority of contents shared on Telegram, however, are geared toward adult users because the majority of Telegram users are adults. In addition, children’s screen time on Telegram is another issue that poses health dangers.
Groups
Anyone can add your child to groups on Telegram if the privacy settings aren’t changed. All members have access to each other’s usernames and profile images as well as the ability to share content in groups. In private chats, they can also message one another. Simply put, on Telegram groups, your youngster is exposed to people they might not know personally.
Monitor Time
The majority of kids appear to struggle with self-control when using chat apps. They frequently converse with their friends for many hours. These apps may occasionally encourage kids to stay up later than they should, which can cause weariness and lack of sleep. Telegram is the same.
How Can Telegram Be Kid-Friendly?
Talking to your child about the risks is the most important step you can take to protect them from Telegram’s dangers. The best course of action is to advise kids not to respond to communications from strangers and to report improper or questionable texts to you. Additionally, Telegram provides privacy controls that you may use to make the app safer for your child. You can use the Safes parental control tool to safeguard your child from excessive screen time and prevent them from using Telegram if they are not old enough. All of your options will be thoroughly explained in the sections that follow.
Telephone Privacy Options
You may shield your child from unwanted interactions and inappropriate content by using the privacy settings on their Telegram account. However, since your child can alter these settings whenever they choose, you shouldn’t regard them as parental controls.
Open Telegram on your child’s phone, tap the three parallel lines icon in the top left corner of the screen, then tap “Options,” to access the privacy settings. hit “Privacy and Security” after scrolling down. The sections below are available here.
Blocking of Senders
All of the accounts that your child has blocked are listed here. Tap the + sign in the top right corner of the screen and choose the contacts you wish to block if you want to block more people.
Recent and Online
You can choose here who can view your child’s status update. Everyone on Telegram will be able to see if your child is online or when they last were if you use the option “Everyone.” We advise choosing “Nobody” to preserve your child’s privacy. Additionally, if you use Telegram, pick yourself and/or your spouse under “Always Share With” to view your child’s status.
Profile Image
A person’s profile picture might reveal a lot about them. A predator might conclude that way that a Telegram user is a child. So, we advise limiting who can see it to “My Contacts” or “Nobody.” If you choose “Nobody,” you can then make exceptions and provide specific individuals access to see your child’s profile photo.
Mobile Number
Telegram by default shows users’ phone numbers. However, it is unnecessary for others to see your child’s Telegram number. Therefore, to ensure their safety and privacy, we advise choosing “Nobody” in this box.
Locate by Phone Number
Users of Telegram can look up your child using their phone number thanks to this feature. Since a child should not use this feature, we advise choosing “My Contacts” so that only persons in your child’s contact list can access them through phone number.
Send Messages
By default, your name and a link to your profile are displayed when someone forwards a message you send on Telegram. The purpose of this feature is to safeguard copyrights. When someone shares your child’s texts with a stranger, it puts their safety at danger. As a result, we advise choosing “Nobody” in this section so that your child’s forwarded messages won’t be associated with their profile.
Channels and Groups
You can choose who can add your child to groups and channels in this section. We advise choosing “My Contacts.” Tap “Never Allow” and choose the persons you don’t want to be able to add your child to any groups or channels.
Phone Calls
You can select who is allowed to call your child on Telegram in the Voice Calls section. To make exceptions, we advise selecting “Nobody” and then tapping “Always Allow.” To ensure their safety, you should only permit immediate family and close friends to phone your child.
Parental controls in safes
According to its Terms of Service, Telegram is only available to users who are at least 16 years old. However, Telegram doesn’t check the age of its members. Therefore, younger children might simply sign up for Telegram. To prevent your child from using Telegram, you can use the Safes parental control software. You may regulate how much time your adolescent child spends on Telegram by using Safes.
app blocking
You can disable the Telegram app on all of your child’s phones, tablets, and laptops if they are underage or if you don’t want them to use it due to the safety hazards mentioned earlier. Your child wouldn’t be able to access Telegram.
Common Questions Regarding Telegram
Are children able to use Telegram?
Telegram only allows users under the age of 16 to use its services. Experts warn against letting younger children use Telegram due to safety issues include encountering improper information and hazardous people.
Is Telegram secure for teens to use?
Teenagers under 16 are not advised to use Telegram due to the dangers of coming across inappropriate content and dangerous strangers, as well as some of its private features like messages that vanish. Telegram limits use of its services to those over the age of 16.ذالغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغلغل
Is Telegram secure for teens to use?
Teenagers under 16 are not advised to use Telegram due to the dangers of coming across inappropriate content and dangerous strangers, as well as some of its private features like messages that vanish. Telegram limits use of its services to those over the age of 16.
