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 minimum age to use the app is 18. While it sells items for children, its Terms of Use say they “for sale to adults.”

Google Play rates the app ‘Parental Guidance’ while Apple’s App Store rates it ‘12+’. However, 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. This includes your photo, links to social media profiles and any other information on 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.

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 never receiving their items or receiving low-quality items.
• 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.

In addition to possibly faulty or low-quality items, consumers face other risks while using Temu.

Data collection and sales

Critics accuse Temu of selling users’ personal data collected through the app. Additionally, some have accused them of hiding malware and spyware within the mobile app. This comes after Google Play removed Temu’s parent company PDD Holdings (Pinduoduo) for containing malware.

It’s important to remember that when things are free or low-cost, it’s usually because you’re paying in other ways. In most cases, you’re ‘paying’ with data.

A 2022 report from PDD Holdings shows that nearly 80% of earnings came from selling advertising to its merchants, not from product sales. These ads can target buyers very specifically to increase sales.

Selling unsafe products

In February 2025, BEUC published the results of tests carried out on a range of Temu products. The members did not test all products on Temu. They instead tested a selection in different categories

Members, which included Which? in the UK, found several products that did not comply with safety standards.

Examples include:

• 56% of ‘food contact materials’ like baking paper and disposable tableware were non-compliant.
• 86% of ‘toys and baby products’ were non-compliant due to choking hazards or otherwise harmful parts.
• When testing 82 ‘connected products’ like wireless cameras and smart doorbells, Which? found 100% non-compliance.
• Which? also found merchants selling illegal weapons and age-restricted items without age checks.
• Of 13 tested ‘cosmetic’ products, 100% were non-compliant. These included missing or incomplete ingredients list that could cause allergic reactions. It also could indicate use of illegal substances.

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

• Use the website, not the app: Because of the concerns about data collection, it’s best to stay away from the Temu 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.
• 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.
• Avoid items that could cause harm. This includes items for babies or children and products that you use with food. You might also want to use caution around cosmetics and electronics. Review BEUC’s report of non-compliant items as a guide.

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. Use secure payment methods as well, such as PayPal or virtual cards.