Discord is taking a significant step forward in prioritizing the safety and well-being of its teen users by introducing teen-by-default settings globally. This move reinforces the platform's commitment to providing an inclusive experience for users over 13, while maintaining privacy, community, and meaningful connections.

As part of this update, all new and existing users worldwide will have a teen-appropriate experience by default, featuring updated communication settings, restricted access to age-gated spaces, and content filtering that preserves user privacy. Beginning with a phased global rollout in early March, users may be required to engage in an age-verification process to change certain settings or access sensitive content.

Discord's Head of Product Policy, Savannah Badalich, emphasized the importance of teen safety, stating, "Nowhere is our safety work more important than when it comes to teen users. Rolling out teen-by-default settings globally builds on Discord's existing safety architecture, giving teens strong protections while allowing verified adults flexibility."

Privacy-Forward Age Assurance

Discord's age assurance approach respects user privacy and choice by offering multiple methods for verification, including facial age estimation or submitting identification documents. The platform will also implement its age inference model, a new system that runs in the background to help determine whether an account belongs to an adult.

Key privacy protections include on-device processing, quick deletion of submitted documents, straightforward verification, and private status, ensuring users' age verification status is not visible to other users.

Default Safety Settings

Starting in early March, all Discord users globally will be assigned new default settings that support age-appropriate experiences while prioritizing user privacy:

  • Content Filters: Users need to be age-assured as adults to unblur sensitive content or turn off the setting.
  • Age-gated Spaces: Only age-assured adult users can access age-restricted channels, servers, and app commands.
  • Message Request Inbox: Direct messages from unknown users are routed to a separate inbox by default, accessible only to age-assured adult users.
  • Friend Request Alerts: Users receive warning prompts for friend requests from unknown users.
  • Stage Restrictions: Only age-assured adults can speak on stage in servers.

The Discord Teen Council

Alongside enhanced teen safety features, Discord is introducing its inaugural Teen Council, a teen advisory body that brings authentic teen perspectives into how Discord shapes their experience. The Teen Council will consist of 10-12 teens aged 13-17 who will help ensure Discord understands what teens need to feel safe and supported online.

Interested teens can apply to participate in the Teen Council at [link] from now until May 1, 2026.