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Cyber Expert Reviewer:
Reviewed on Dec 7, 2022
Discord is an online communication platform that was originally created for the gaming community to chat together while playing. Although it is still extremely popular amongst gamers, it has evolved to include many other community groups with a diverse range of interests, enabling like-minded people to connect. Users join a server, where they can chat via voice, video, or text. Discord is targeted toward teens and adults, and as the chat groups are unmoderated, the content often contains profanities or unsuitable topics for children. Users can also join public servers, enabling them to engage with strangers online.
The Discord app can be downloaded onto Android and iOS devices or accessed via web browser. When signing up, users are required to enter their age; however, this is not verified. They can also check a tick box that enables anyone who has their smartphone number stored in their contacts to find them on Discord.
Users interact on Discord by joining a pre-existing server or by creating their own and inviting others to join. Although most Discord servers are invite-only, there are also public servers that don't require an invitation. The server's creator and appointed administrators are responsible for setting and managing verifications, authentications, permissions, access, and content safety filters.
Content is user-generated and driven by shared interests; however, it is the server administrator's responsibility to ensure the content meets Discord's platform protocols and community guidelines. Users have control over their own privacy settings, enabling them to filter some content and choose how they interact on the platform. Please see the ‘How to’ section for setting up Discord safely.
Although the platform aims for every user to have a positive experience, there are some potential risks that could make using Discord unsafe without appropriate protection in place. Parents should ensure they have installed adequate parental controls and that their child utilises the safety settings available within the app. To help filter inappropriate content, users should enable the KMS (Keep Me Safe) mode on their account. They should also make use of the features available within their profile settings to determine who can send them friend requests or direct messages. Parents should ensure their child knows how to block and report users who post inappropriate content and include rules and expectations regarding interacting with others online as part of their family tech agreement.
As pseudonyms are permitted and signup details unverified, some users may misrepresent their true identity and, therefore, there is a strong potential that children will be exposed to bullying, predators, catfishing, and other online risks while using Discord. Although private servers are accessed by invitation only, all members are able to add other users, and your child may start on a server with only friends they know in real life but end up interacting with strangers that their friends have added.
Discord has many private servers that contain sexualised content, including nudes and pornography. Servers that feature adult content should be gated according to the platform rules (with a pop-up that warns users of the content and asks if they are over 18 years of age) and labelled as an age-restricted channel. iOS users can only access some adult content on their mobile devices by opting-in on the web version first, but cannot access anything classified as ‘explicit pornographic content’ from their smartphone or tablet (although they may still do so through their web browser). Discord does not permit any content that sexualises minors.
Although there are several potential online dangers when using Discord, parents can teach their children to minimise the associated risks by following a few basic tips:
Although there are several potential online dangers when using Discord, parents can teach their children to minimize the associated risks by following a few basic tips:
Some of Discord's content is not suitable for younger users. To help keep yourself safe online, never access channels that are labelled as 'age-restricted' and ensure you have the 'Keep me safe' mode enabled to filter and block inappropriate messages and content. Remember to speak to your parents or a trusted adult if you ever feel uncomfortable when using Discord.
Use Discord's user settings to set parameters that will determine who can contact you or send you friends requests. These restrictions can help prevent online bullying and enable you to block those you don't want to interact with online. Never accept friend requests from anyone you don't know in real life, and remember to report anyone who behaves inappropriately on the platform to help ensure Discord is fun and safe for all to use.
The Gold Standard: COPPA [Implemented globally, legally enforced only in the U.S.]
California: CCPA
U.K and Europe: GDPR-K
Australia: Online Safety Act 2021