Discord Mandates Age Verification Next Month for Unrestricted Platform Access

Discord is making a big change next month to keep its platform safer for everyone, especially teenagers. Starting in March, all users around the world will get a “teen-appropriate experience” by default. This means you won’t have full access to everything unless you prove you’re an adult. The company announced this on Monday, and it’s part of their plan to protect younger users while giving grown-ups more freedom.

Here’s how it works. Right now, when you join Discord, the app will treat you like a teen. This blocks access to sensitive content, like blurred messages or images that might not be suitable for kids. You also can’t join certain age-restricted channels, servers, or use special app commands meant only for adults. Messages from people you don’t know will go to a separate inbox, so they’re not mixed with your regular chats. Friend requests from strangers will come with warning pop-ups to make you think twice. And if you’re in a server and want to speak on stage, like in voice chats, only verified adults can do that.

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To get out of this teen mode and unlock everything, you have to verify your age. Discord makes it simple with two main ways. First, you can do a facial age estimation. This uses a quick video selfie from your phone or computer. The good news is that this video never leaves your device, it’s checked right there for privacy. Second, you can submit a photo of your ID to Discord’s trusted partners. They look at it fast, confirm you’re an adult, and delete it right away, usually immediately after.

Sometimes, the system might ask you to try both methods if it needs more proof to be sure about your age. Discord says they’ll add even more options later to make it easier. Once you’re verified as an adult, you can turn off the teen settings, unblur sensitive stuff, and use the full platform without limits.

Savannah Badalich, who leads product policy at Discord, explained why this matters. “Rolling out teen-by-default settings globally builds on Discord’s existing safety tools,” she said in a press release. “It gives teens strong protections while letting verified adults have flexibility. We put teen safety at the heart of our products and keep working with experts, governments, and users to make the platform better for everyone’s well-being.”

This isn’t brand new for Discord. Last year, they already started age checks in places like the U.K. and Australia. Now, it’s going global to cover everyone. The goal is clear: make sure kids under 18 have a safe space without seeing things they’re not ready for, while adults keep enjoying Discord as usual.

For parents, this is great news. It adds layers of protection so teens can’t easily stumble into risky chats or content. Teens might need help from a parent to verify if they want more access, but most will stay in the safe default mode. Adults just do a quick check once, and they’re good to go.

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Discord has always focused on safety, with tools like report buttons and moderation. This update makes it stronger. If you’re a heavy user, for gaming, chatting with friends, or communities, it might take a minute to verify, but it’s worth it for a safer app.

What does this mean for you? Check your settings soon. Next month, you’ll see prompts to verify if you want full access. Discord promises privacy, so your info stays secure. It’s a smart step in a world where online safety matters more than ever.

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