Discord Expands Age Verification As Teen Settings Become Default

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Discord says it will begin a phased global rollout of enhanced teen safety features in early March, introducing age verification requirements for users who want to access certain settings or sensitive areas of the platform.

Under the update, all new and existing users worldwide will receive a teen-appropriate experience by default. Adults who wish to loosen restrictions — such as unblurring sensitive content, accessing age-gated servers, or modifying direct message controls — may be required to verify their age.

Teen-Appropriate Settings Become the Default

Discord said the changes are designed to strengthen protections for users aged 13 to 17 while still allowing verified adults flexibility. Default safeguards will include content filtering, limited access to age-restricted spaces, and tighter controls on message requests from unknown users.

Direct messages from people a user may not know will be routed to a separate inbox by default, while warnings will appear for unfamiliar friend requests. Only users verified as adults will be allowed to speak on stage in servers or access age-gated channels and app commands.

The company said the global rollout builds on similar teen-by-default settings previously tested in the UK and Australia.

How Age Verification Will Work

Discord described its approach as “privacy-forward” age assurance. Users may choose between facial age estimation or submitting identification to third-party vendor partners. In addition, Discord will deploy an age inference system that runs in the background to help determine whether an account belongs to an adult, without always requiring direct verification.

Some users may be asked to complete more than one method if additional confirmation is needed.

According to Discord, video selfies used for facial age estimation are processed entirely on-device and never leave the user’s phone or computer. Identity documents submitted for verification are deleted quickly, often immediately after age confirmation.

A user’s age verification status will not be visible to others. Once verified, the platform adapts automatically to the assigned age group, which can be reviewed — and appealed — through account settings.

Discord also stressed that it only prompts users to complete age assurance within the app itself and does not send verification requests by email or text message.

Why Discord Is Making the Change

“Nowhere is our safety work more important than when it comes to teen users,” said Savannah Badalich, Discord’s head of product policy, adding that the update is intended to balance protection, privacy, and autonomy.

Many platforms have moved away from self-declared ages, which have proven unreliable, and toward systems that actively enforce age-appropriate experiences.

Teens Get a Direct Voice in Product Decisions

Alongside the safety rollout, Discord announced the creation of a Teen Council, an advisory group made up of teenagers aged 13 to 17. The council will provide direct input on product features, policies, and educational resources, aiming to ensure safety tools reflect how teens actually use the platform rather than assumptions made about them.

Discord said applications for the council will remain open until May 2026.

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