Discord Implements 'Teen-by-Default' Safety Settings
Discord is rolling out new safety settings that will be applied by default to all users aged 13 and up. This product decision, driven by user research and regulatory pressure, aims to enhance safety for younger users on the 200-million-user platform, with age verification required for access to more sensitive features.
- The new default settings will automatically filter sensitive images, place direct messages from unknown users into a separate request inbox, and prevent teens from speaking on live "stage" channels. - To access adult-only features or change these defaults, users may need to verify their age through methods including an on-device video selfie for AI age estimation or by submitting a government ID to a third-party vendor. - For many adults, explicit verification won't be necessary due to a new "age inference model" that analyzes behavioral data like account tenure and activity—but not private messages—to confirm a user is over 18. - The global rollout, scheduled to begin in early March 2026, follows a successful trial of similar teen-by-default settings in the United Kingdom and Australia. - This product change comes as social media companies face increasing regulatory pressure, including new laws in four U.S. states requiring warning labels on apps for minor users. - To incorporate direct user feedback into future safety features, Discord is also launching its first "Teen Council," an advisory group of 10-12 teens aged 13-17. - These automatic settings for teens build upon the platform's existing Family Center tools, which were introduced in 2023 to give parents visibility into their teen's activity on the platform. - The decision to use a new ID verification partner, K-ID, follows a 2025 data breach with a previous vendor that resulted in the theft of about 70,000 ID images.
