What is Temu? What parents need to know

Temu is an online shopping platform that offers a wide range of low-cost products. While it provides access to affordable goods, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and how to shop safely.

The app is intended for use by those aged 18 and over. While it sells items for children, its Terms of Service say they “are intended for sale to adults.”

While the Google Play Store’s rating for the app is ‘Parental Guidance’ and ‘4+’ in Apple’s App Store, children should not use Temu.

According to their Privacy Policy, Temu collects and holds a range of personal information. The list includes:

• Contact data such as your name, email, address and phone number
• Profile data that includes your photo, links to social media profiles and any other information you add to your profile
• User-generated content including photos, videos, audio recordings, messages and questions

They also collect information from third-party sources and combine that with what they collect.

Temu is also accused of selling user data collected through the app. Additionally, they’ve been accused of hiding malware and spyware within the mobile app. This comes after Google Play removed Temu’s parent company for containing malware.

Other things to watch out for

• Where items come from: Some reports accuse Temu of selling products from companies using forced labour.
• Quality of items: Some people either report their items never arriving or the quality of items from Temu being very poor.
• Managing spending pressure: Temu offers constant discounts and limited-time deals, which can encourage impulse buying. Children and young people, in particular, may feel pressured to buy things they don’t need.

If your family must use Temu, here are some tips to stay safe.

• Use the website, not the app: Because of the concerns about data collection, it’s best to stay away from the marketplace app. Instead, use a website where you can manage your cookies and better control your privacy.
• Check seller and product reviews: Before purchasing an item, make sure you read the reviews. In particular, pay attention to the negative reviews and the problems other buyers face. Additionally, check reviews of the seller themselves to see how they handle any issues with their customers in case something goes wrong.
• Avoid big ticket items: If you use Temu, avoid big brand items that are usually worth hundreds or thousands. These items are more likely to be counterfeit or lead to scams. Instead, go to the original retailer or more widely trusted marketplaces like Amazon.

How to tackle online scams

Use this interactive guide to get tips

As Temu is only for 18+ users, children and teens should not use the app. If your child expresses interest in using the app to buy items, have the following conversations with them.

• Discuss online safety: Nurture your child’s critical thinking skills by discussing the risks of buying and selling online. You can also discuss the risks of messaging others within apps. Regular conversations can help them learn to recognise scams and those seeking to do harm.
• Teach money management: If your child wants to use marketplace apps, equip them with money management skills. This will help them make safe and smart financial choices. Read our money management guide to learn more.
• Encourage the use of secure payment options:  Ensure you only provide the minimum personal information needed to complete a purchase and use secure payment methods, such as PayPal or virtual cards.

The ABC Online Safety Checklist