eSAFETY GUIDE

Telegram

18+
Minimum age for Australians
18+ Minimum age for Australians

What is Telegram?

Telegram is a messaging and audio calling cloud-based app that allows you to send messages, photos, videos and files to your contacts. You can create groups for up to 200,000 people or channels for broadcasting to unlimited contacts or audiences.

Telegram has regular chats, which are encrypted between your device and Telegram’s servers, and ‘secret chats’ which are end-to-end encrypted. In secret chats, you can send ‘self-destructing messages’, which disappear from both the sender’s and recipient’s devices when the timer runs out. Self-destructing messages are available for all messages in secret chats and for photos and videos in regular one-to-one chats.

Telegram uses cloud technology to store data (apart from secret chat data) which means that your messages can be accessed across different devices. It supports most file types that are 2GB or less and places no limits on the amount of content being sent.

To create an account on Telegram, you must sign up with a phone number. If you grant permission for Telegram to access your contacts, these will appear in your Telegram contacts list if they use the app. You can connect with other people on Telegram by searching for their username or sending invitation links.

Telegram also uses ‘bots’ (small applications which run inside the app) and provides support for developers wanting to create their own. Telegram bots may have a variety of functions including as a payment platform.

Telegram can be used for free or with a paid Telegram Premium subscription.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Windows Phone, Apple iOS.
Website: telegram.org/
Apps: Android, Apple iOS

How do people use Telegram?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use messaging apps like Telegram, including those with end-to-end encryption.

Telegram is used for: messaging/online chat, encrypted messaging, money transfers/online payments, online relationships, photo/video sharing, screen capture and voice chat.

How do I report inappropriate content or block a user?

These links are provided by Telegram:

  • Report content 
    Learn what steps you can take if you encounter illegal, inappropriate or abusive content on Telegram.
  • Block voice calls
    Control who can call you on Telegram or switch off voice calls.
  • Block a contact
    Learn how to block another person on Telegram.
  • Privacy settings
    Learn about privacy settings like ‘last seen’, blocked contacts and self-destruct accounts.
  • Contact Telegram
    Email Telegram to report or address specific content issues. 

How can you protect your personal information?

These links are provided by Telegram:

Key safety links

These links are provided by Telegram:

  • Terms of Service
    Understand the rules you must follow when using Telegram.
  • Groups and channels
    Get more information on how to use groups and channels in Telegram.
  • Bots
    Learn about bots and how you might interact with them on Telegram.
  • Deleting data
    Get information on how to delete account data and a link to Telegram’s deactivation page.

Related eSafety links

Find other resources to help keep you safe online:

Other eSafety Guides:

About this Guide

This guide is provided by the eSafety Commissioner to help people stay safe online and better understand digital platforms.

Social media changes

From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms are not allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account.

Find out more at eSafety’s social media age restrictions hub.

About The eSafety Guide

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews, endorsements or assessments against any legislative definition by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parents, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and apps and mental wellbeing resources for families.