Discord has announced a major safety overhaul that will place its entire global user base into a “teen-appropriate experience” by default starting in early March 2026. The move follows successful pilot programs in the UK and Australia and represents a significant shift in how the platform handles adult content and user privacy.
Under this new policy, all accounts will be restricted to teen-safe settings unless they are verified as belonging to an adult.
1. The ‘Teen-by-Default’ Experience
Unless a user is “age-assured” as an adult, several features will be restricted or modified to protect younger users:
• Content Blurring: Sensitive or mature media will be blurred by default.
• Restricted Access: Users cannot join age-restricted channels or servers, nor can they use certain app commands gated for adults.
• Safety Inbox: Direct Messages (DMs) from unknown users will be automatically routed to a separate “Message Request” folder.
• Stage Restrictions: Unverified users will be unable to speak on “Stage” channels within servers.
• Friend Request Warnings: Prompts will appear for friend requests from strangers to prevent unwanted contact.
2. How Age Verification Works
Discord is introducing three distinct ways to confirm a user’s age, aiming to balance security with privacy concerns:
• Age Inference Model (Automatic): For most adults, no action is required. Discord uses a background machine-learning model that analyzes account tenure, device data, and high-level activity patterns to predict if a user is an adult. Discord maintains it does not read private messages for this process.
• Facial Age Estimation: Users can opt for a “video selfie.” This process uses AI to estimate age and is performed entirely on-device, meaning the video never reaches Discord’s servers.
• ID Submission: Users can upload a government-issued ID to a third-party vendor. Discord states these IDs are deleted “immediately” or “quickly” after confirmation.
3. Privacy Concerns and Past Breaches
The announcement has reignited debates over digital privacy, especially given Discord’s history. In October 2025, a data breach at a third-party vendor exposed the sensitive data of approximately 70,000 users, including government ID photos.
To address these concerns, Savannah Badalich, Head of Product Policy at Discord, emphasized that the new system is “privacy-forward.” The platform now uses dedicated vendors like k-ID and Persona that are separate from their general support systems to minimize risk.
4. Global Context: The Trend Toward Child Safety
Discord joins a growing list of platforms—including Roblox and YouTube—that are implementing mandatory age checks to comply with tightening global regulations.
• Teen Council: To ensure these features work for the intended audience, Discord is also launching a Teen Council (applications open until May 1, 2026) to give users aged 13–17 a direct voice in future safety policies.
Summary for the Busy:
• Date: Global rollout begins early March 2026.
• The Rule: Everyone is a “teen” by default; adults must verify to unlock mature features.
• Verification: Most adults are verified automatically via AI behavior patterns; others can use a face scan or ID.
