Discord announced on Monday, February 9, 2025, that it is overhauling its safety settings with a global rollout of a new age verification initiative. Under this system, every account will default to a “teen‑appropriate” experience unless users verify that they are adults. The changes are set to begin in early March 2026 and will affect both new and existing accounts worldwide.
What’s Changing
Under the new system, all Discord accounts regardless of how long they’ve been active will start with safety‑first settings designed around teen users. Until a user verifies that they are an adult, they’ll see restrictions on what they can access and how they can communicate on the platform.
Here’s what that means in practice:
- Sensitive Content: Remains blurred by default and can only be toggled off by age-verified adults.
- Age-Gated Spaces: Access to restricted channels, servers, and commands is exclusive to age-verified users.
- Message Requests: Unknown DMs are filtered into a separate inbox; modifying this setting requires age verification.
- Friend Request Alerts: Users will see warning prompts when receiving requests from unfamiliar accounts.
- Stage Access: Speaking in Stage channels (live audio) is restricted to age-verified adults.
According to Discord, these default settings aim to provide a safer online environment while preserving privacy and meaningful connections for everyone.
How Age Verification Works
Discord’s age‑assurance system lets users choose how they want to confirm they’re adults. Options include:
- Facial age estimation using a video selfie processed entirely on the user’s own device.
- Submitting a government ID through Discord’s verification partners.
- In the future, additional methods may become available.
Importantly, Discord emphasizes that the video selfie never leaves the device, and identity documents are deleted quickly after verification in most cases immediately. A user’s verified status remains private and cannot be viewed by other Discord members.
Age Inference Model – Reducing Prompts
To minimize the need for manual verification, Discord will also introduce an AI‑powered age inference model. This system analyzes high‑level signals like account activity and tenure to estimate whether an account belongs to an adult. Only when the model isn’t confident will Discord prompt a user to complete in‑app verification.
Teen Council and Ongoing Safety Work
In addition to these changes, Discord is launching a Teen Council, composed of 10–12 teens aged 13–17. The group will offer direct feedback on how the platform builds safety features, products, and resources to better support teen wellbeing. Interested applicants can apply until May 1, 2026.
Why Discord Is Doing This
Discord says the shift toward “teen‑by‑default” settings builds on past safety work and reflects long‑standing commitments to protect younger users online. By broadening protections around communication, content, and community participation, the company aims to balance privacy and safety while allowing adults flexibility once they’ve verified their age.
While the global rollout follows earlier testing in places like the UK and Australia, this marks the first time these settings will apply universally to all Discord accounts.