Discord is taking significant steps to enhance child safety on its platform, announcing that starting in March, all users will automatically be placed in a “teen-appropriate experience.” This change ensures that unlocking adult content and accessing age-restricted areas will involve a verification process, which typically will be required only once.
The safety update includes several critical features such as updated communication settings, restricted access to age-gated spaces, and content filtering. Unverified users will see sensitive content blurred and will be unable to access age-restricted channels, servers, and app commands. Additionally, direct messages and friend requests from unknown users will be sent to a separate inbox to ensure a safer experience.
For adults wishing to lift these restrictions, Discord is introducing two methods of verification at launch. Users can either submit a selfie video for age estimation or provide a government-issued ID to Discord’s vendor partners. Discord assures users that the selfie videos remain on their device and that submitted IDs are swiftly deleted, usually right after age confirmation.
Though Discord anticipates that most users will require a one-time verification, some individuals may need to submit multiple forms of verification. The company is also working on additional verification options, including an age inference model that will operate in the background.
This initiative is not Discord’s first commitment to child safety. In 2023, the company took decisive action by banning teen dating channels and AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), alongside implementing content filters and automated warnings. These measures were prompted by an NBC News report highlighting several criminal cases involving Discord.
To further support its child safety efforts, Discord is forming a new Teen Council, comprising 10 to 12 members aged 13 to 17. The council aims to provide insights directly from teenagers, ensuring that the platform better understands their needs and creates an environment that fosters safe and meaningful connections.
The new child safety measures are set to roll out globally in early March, impacting both new and existing users who will be required to undergo verification to access adult content. By prioritizing user safety and bringing teens into the conversation, Discord is demonstrating a proactive approach to creating a secure online environment.