[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Qustodio Team” position=”Experts in digital safety” image_url=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2021\/10\/01090043\/Qustodio-Team.png” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2024\/05\/26140401\/2024-05-Blog_IsDiscordSafeForKidsHero-1.png” alt=”teen using discord” title_text=”2024-05-Blog_IsDiscordSafeForKidsHero” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
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Once upon a time, Discord was the refuge of gamers only: somewhere for them to chat, strategize, and relay tactics mid-game. Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened and everything changed.<\/span><\/p>\n Discord had <\/span>56 million users<\/span><\/a> at the end of 2019, but by the fall of 2021, that number had exploded to 150 million as gamers and non-gamers alike started using the platform to connect with loved ones and maintain a sense of community – in the absence of real-life opportunities. Today, the platform has an estimated <\/span>614 million registered users<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Discord is particularly popular among Gen Zers. According to our 2023 report on children\u2019s tech habits, Discord was the <\/span>number one communication app<\/b><\/a> in the US, where under-18s spent an average of <\/span>31 minutes a day <\/b>on the platform.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With so many young fans, Discord is now firmly on parents\u2019 radar. Like with most apps, there are potential risks that we need to be aware of before deciding whether or not Discord is safe for our kids.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Founded in 2015, Discord is a real-time chat platform originally designed to make it easier for gamers to talk to each other while playing.<\/span><\/p>\n The platform lets friends chat via voice, video, or text, and join communities called <\/span>servers. <\/b>A private server is similar to a group chat and is a place for communicating with friends. A public server is more like a subreddit or Slack channel where users congregate to chat about a common interest, game, or literally anything else. The biggest Discord community at the time of writing is the Midjourney server which <\/span>has over 17.5 million members<\/span><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n Because of its appeal to the younger generations, and the diversity of its users and communities, many parents are concerned about the type of people their children can interact with on the platform.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n If your child is a gamer, it\u2019s almost a given that they use Discord. The platform makes it easy for them to talk with their friends during gameplay, interact with game-specific channels, organize gaming sessions, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But Discord isn\u2019t just for gamers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Teens use private chats for everything from working on school projects to watching Netflix together<\/b>. They can share files easily and chats can be accessed from their desktop, laptop, phone, tablet \u2013 you name it!<\/span><\/p>\n Public chats can also be incredibly useful for teens as they can be a fast resource for academic help, as well as places for them to indulge their passions with others who are just as obsessed with that thing as they are.<\/span><\/p>\n Also, Discord is free to use! There are subscription options but the free version is fine for most people.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Discord’s <\/span>terms of service<\/span><\/a> states that users must be <\/span>13 and over to use the platform<\/b>. But as they simply have to enter their date of birth when creating an account, there\u2019s nothing to stop someone younger from lying about their DOB.<\/span><\/p>\n The platform promises to delete any accounts reported to be owned by underage users – unless they verify they are over 13 with official documentation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2024\/05\/26140446\/2024-05-Blog_IsDiscordSafeForKidsInsideImage-1.png” alt=”Teenage girl using Discord” title_text=”2024-05-Blog_IsDiscordSafeForKidsInsideImage” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n While users as young as 13 can use the platform, Discord was designed for grown-up gamers – and not children. So, whether you\u2019ve found out that your child is using Discord or they want to sign up, there are a few potential safety issues you need to be aware of.<\/span><\/p>\n NSFW content<\/b><\/p>\n If a server contains<\/span> inappropriate or 18+ content<\/span><\/a>, the owner must label it NSFW (not safe or suitable for work). But, as we all know, this kind of warning does nothing but pique the interest of young eyes who can access the server without much trouble.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sexual and racist language in chats<\/b><\/p>\n Conversations in both private and public chats can get pretty provocative. Anyone who\u2019s ever gamed online (or used Twitter\/X!) knows the kind of abuse that can get thrown at you seemingly for no reason, and if it\u2019s left unchecked, it can develop into <\/span>cyberbullying<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Strangers can connect with your child<\/b><\/p>\n By default, members of the same server can DM each other without them being accepted as friends. This is particularly worrying for parents as <\/span>predators<\/span><\/a> can easily find out your child\u2019s interests and exploit them to foster a connection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Discord\u2019s privacy settings allow you to disable or filter DMs – but your child can easily change these.<\/span><\/p>\n Extremist servers<\/b><\/p>\n In its early days, Discord was a haven for Alt-Right groups to spout hate speech, plan rallies, and recruit members. This came to a head in 2017 when it was revealed that white supremacists had used the platform to organize the fatal <\/span>Unite the Right rally<\/span><\/a> in Charlottesville, U.S. Nowadays, the platform takes a firm stance against <\/span>violent extremism<\/span><\/a>, but we\u2019d be naive to think that the problem has completely disappeared.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Even though there are some risks, Discord is one of the safer communication options out there – especially when compared with apps like <\/span>Kik<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Snapchat<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If your child is using, or wants to use, Discord, here are a few safety tips to help them have a healthy experience on the platform.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 1. 13 + only<\/b><\/p>\n After using it ourselves and hearing other parents\u2019 opinions on the app, we agree with Discord\u2019s minimum age of 13. If your child sticks to age-appropriate servers and ignores those labeled NSFW, they can avoid content meant for more mature eyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you want to make sure that your pre-teen stays off Discord, at least until they\u2019re older, consider using a <\/span>parental control<\/span><\/a> tool like Qustodio to block access to the app.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Talk to your child about online stranger danger<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n Sexual predators and data thieves are increasingly finding victims on social platforms like Discord. They tend to strike up conversations designed to build up trust through common interests and build up to asking for photos or personal information. Make sure your child is aware of the risks involved when connecting with strangers online and what to do if they think they\u2019ve become a victim. If you\u2019ve never broached the subject with your child before, this is a good place to start: <\/span>How to talk to your child about online predators<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Approve each server your child joins<\/b><\/p>\n Servers and their channels can vary wildly in appropriateness. By checking those your child is interested in, you can see the type of language used and content shared, as well as the server\u2019s safety settings, i.e. if direct messaging is blocked, and if NSFW material is monitored.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many kids won\u2019t like seeking approval whenever they join a new server, but this can be a condition you both agree upon before allowing them to use Discord.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Protect them with privacy settings<\/b><\/p>\n Discord has some useful <\/span>Privacy Settings<\/span><\/a> that can help your child have a safer time on the platform. We recommend blocking DMs from server members as this will prevent contact from anyone who isn\u2019t on your child\u2019s friend list. You can also disable friend requests from server members and other users who know your child\u2019s Discord username – and just allow requests from friends of friends, for example.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If someone has slid into your child\u2019s DMs unwarranted, you can block them by clicking their @Username to bring up their profile, pressing the three dots in the top right, and selecting Block.<\/span><\/p>\n Make sure your child knows how to do this too!<\/span><\/p>\n Discord\u2019s <\/span>Teen Safety Assist<\/span><\/a> initiative is designed to keep teen users safe by issuing safety alerts when they receive a DM from a sender for the first time. The alert encourages them to double-check if they want to reply and provides links to block the user or view more safety tips to safeguard themselves. By default, Teen Safety Assist is enabled for all teen users and cannot be turned off.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The platform has its own parental control feature called <\/span>Family Center<\/a><\/strong> which allows parents and caregivers to monitor their kids’ activity on the app. Parents simply have to create an account of their own and link it with their child\u2019s, then they\u2019ll be able to see who their child is messaging, new friends they’ve added, and the servers they’ve joined. Parents can\u2019t read their teen\u2019s conversations.<\/span><\/p>\n Although the feature is useful, <\/span>your teen must voluntarily opt into connecting to <\/b>Family Center<\/b> and they can disconnect at any time. <\/b>\u00a0So, an agreement must be made with your teen for it to be beneficial.<\/span><\/p>\n In conjunction with Discord\u2019s safety features, Qustodio can help safeguard your teen by allowing you to:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Although it was originally developed for adult gamers, Discord has become one of the most popular communication platforms for teens thanks to its usability and plethora of communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We agree with Discord’s minimum age requirement of 13; and while there are safety risks that parents need to be aware of, <\/span>we believe the platform is one of the better communication options out there for teens<\/b>. Discord\u2019s Teen Safety Assist and Family Center, as well as some well-chosen privacy settings, can help your teen have a safe experience on the platform.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As useful as these safety features are, however, they do require your teen\u2019s cooperation. That\u2019s why we recommend having an open conversation with your teen and coming to an agreement on how they may use Discord.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Once upon a time, Discord was the refuge of gamers only: somewhere for them to chat, strategize, and relay tactics mid-game. Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened and everything changed. Discord had 56 million users at the end of 2019, but by the fall of 2021, that number had exploded to 150 million as gamers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":70334,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Qustodio<\/a>: 13+ when DMs are blocked for people outside friend group, else 18+<\/p> Apple<\/a>: 12+<\/p> Android<\/a>: Parental Guidance<\/p> Common Sense<\/a>: 13+<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n Founded in 2015, Discord is a real-time chat platform originally designed to make it easier for gamers to talk to each other while playing video games. Since then Discord has gone mainstream attracting over 300 million registered users including everyone from Alt-Right protesters<\/a>, bullies and data thieves to the Boy Scouts<\/a>, teachers and book clubs. With such a diverse crowd, it\u2019s no wonder parents have a hard time knowing what to do about this relatively new app.\u00a0<\/p> To help make your digital parenting decisions easier, and to help keep kids safe online, we\u2019ve put together this safety guide to Discord.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n With elements of Snapchat, Reddit, and Epic, and a Slack-like dashboard, Discord<\/a> is an informal, real-time, communication and social media app for just about anything from talking about games with other players while you play (the app\u2019s original function) to organizing clubs, to giving virtual lessons, to just bonding and hanging out with other people in communities (e.g. dog lovers, kale salad aficionados, amateur hip-hop fans, etc.). While not quite a household name, Discord has become a must for influencers,<\/a> YouTubers, and Instagramers who want an easier way than via traditional social media channels to connect with their community. It\u2019s also attractive for kids and teens who want to fly under the radar of parents who are not familiar with the Discord app yet!<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n For starters, kids and teens love that Discord is free. To amplify their profile, they will have to pay a \u2018Nitro\u2019 subscription<\/a> (currently $9.99\/mo.), but the basics don\u2019t cost them anything. Users like setting up \u2018servers\u2019 where they can just hangout and chat with other people who love whatever they love, be it a game, a club or a cat. Kids who play video games love it because they can see when their friends are online and play together with video chat and screen sharing, sort of like a \u201cSkype for gamers<\/a>.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n What are the dangers of Discord? Discord was designed for adults. And while its terms and conditions require users to be 13+ and server owners are required to put an 18+ warning on servers with NSFW<\/a> (Not Safe or suitable For Work) or unsuitable content, it\u2019s relatively easy for kids to get access. Once in the app, it\u2019s possible for your child to encounter racism, vulgar talk, bullying, online predators and so on, making Discord unsafe for younger children and really only appropriate for a mature teenager with \u2018digital resilience\u2019, the know-how on both what to avoid online and how to react properly if they encounter digital threats.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n Is Discord safe? Discord is a true reflection of society, the good and the bad. Like nearly all social media, game and communication apps, Discord is riskiest when it exposes your child to strangers who do not fit your family\u2019s values, are not age appropriate or are predators. For these reasons we recommend parents block Discord and do not allow children under 13 to use it.\u00a0Discord is fine for teens when the DM security is set to allow friends only<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\nWhat is Discord?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Why do kids and teens like Discord?<\/b><\/h2>\n
What\u2019s Discord\u2019s age rating?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Is Discord safe for kids?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Discord safety tips for parents\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Does Discord have parental controls?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Is Discord safe for kids? Qustodio\u2019s verdict<\/b><\/h2>\n
What parents need to know about Discord to keep their kids and teens safe on one of the latest, must-have social and chat apps.\u00a0<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n
Discord Ratings<\/strong><\/h3>
About Discord<\/strong><\/h3>
Qustodio\u2019s Safety Guide to Discord<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n
What is the Discord app?<\/strong><\/h3>
Why do kids and teens love Discord?<\/strong><\/h3>
Is Discord safe for kids & teens?<\/strong><\/h3>
How can I make Discord safer for my child or teen?<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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\r\n<\/li>Qustodio\u2019s final advice on Discord<\/strong><\/h3>
Footnotes:<\/strong><\/h3>
Further reading on online safety and digital wellbeing:<\/strong><\/h3>
Where to get Qustodio<\/strong><\/h3>