Discord has announced a global rollout of teen safety settings by default, aimed at creating a more age-appropriate experience for users 13 and older. The move expands on previous safety initiatives launched in the UK and Australia, extending enhanced protections for teenagers around the world. The update is part of Discord’s broader effort to balance open communication with stronger safeguards for new users.
Discuss Experience Controls and Teen Security by default
With this rollout, all new and existing users will automatically receive a teen-friendly default experience, which includes stricter communication and content controls, unless a user is verified as an adult.
Key features include:
- Spaces limited by age: Some channels, servers and app controls are only accessible to verified adults
- Content filters: Sensitive media remains unclear unless the user is age-verified as an adult
- Message requests and friend alerts: Messages from unknown users are sent to a separate inbox; Friend requests from unknown accounts trigger security warnings; Only verified adults can change these settings
- Phase limitations: Only verified adults can talk in Stage channels
To access age-restricted areas or to modify default security settings, users may be required to complete an age verification process.
Privacy-First Age Verification System
Discord says its age assurance framework is designed to prioritize privacy while confirming eligibility for adult features. Users can verify their age through multiple methods:
- Facial age estimation, fully processed on the device
- Government ID delivery through trusted vendor partners, with documents deleted immediately after verification
- Background age inference model that helps identify adult accounts without repeated verification requirements
Additional protective measures include:
- Verification status remains private
- Most users only verify once
- Confirmation arrives via message directly from the official Discord account
- Users can view or appeal their age group in My Account Settings
- Discord does not send email or text messages regarding age verification
Discord also confirmed that additional verification options will be introduced over time for greater flexibility.
Teen Disputes Council
As part of the update, Discord is forming a Teen Council consisting of 10 – 12 members aged 13 – 17. The Council will advise Discord on:
- Safety equipment
- Product features
- Platform Policies
- Educational resources
Applications for the Teen Council are open until May 1, 2026.
The teen-by-default initiative complements Discord’s existing security tools, including:
- ignore
- Family Center
- Teen safety assistance
- Warning System
- Caregiver’s Guide
Together, these features aim to give teens, parents, and guardians better visibility and control over online interactions.
Speaking about the update, Savannah Badalich, Head of Product Policy at Discord, said: “Nowhere is our security work more crucial than when it comes to teen users, which is why we’re announcing these updates in time for Safer Internet Day. The rollout of teen-by-default settings globally builds on Discord’s existing security architecture, giving teen safety principles at the core and will continue to work with safety experts, policymakers, and Discord users to support meaningful and long-term well-being for teens on the platform.”
Availability
Teen safety settings and enhanced protections will begin rolling out globally in early March 2026.
