Discord announces that it will make accounts for minors the default setting, requiring age verification via facial camera or ID scan to qualify as an adult
Discord announced a new update on February 9, 2026, to provide a safer experience for minors, targeting users aged 13 and over worldwide. This initiative, which will be gradually implemented from early March of the same year, will apply a 'minor by default' setting to all existing and new users, ensuring an experience suitable for minors by default.
Discord Launches Teen-by-Default Settings Globally
A Safer Discord by Default: New Teen Safety Updates
https://discord.com/safety/how-discord-is-building-safer-experiences-for-teens
Discord has previously announced features aimed at minors, such as the 'Family Center,' which allows users to check the usage of teenage users and limit direct messages.
How to use 'Family Center' on Discord, which allows parents to check teenage users' usage and limit DMs - GIGAZINE
As announced today, the default teen setting will leave certain safety features enabled and unable to be changed unless the user is verified as an adult. The teen setting filters sensitive content, requires age verification to unblur, and restricts access to age-restricted channels, servers, and app commands.
Additionally, the message request feature, which sorts direct messages from users you don't know into a separate inbox, will be enabled by default, and users must be verified as an adult to change the setting. Additionally, a warning message will be sent to users who request friends from unknown users, and the ability to post in the server's stage channel will be limited to verified adult users.
Discord says it will provide a privacy-respecting age assurance toolkit to verify users' ages. One of these tools, age estimation technology, will accurately predict the likelihood of a user being an adult based on account behavior and clues, allowing many adult users to access restrictions without taking any additional steps.
Additionally, if more reliable verification is required, users can choose methods such as facial age estimation or ID scanning, and strict privacy protection measures are in place, such as device-specific processing where selfie videos are not sent outside the device, and ID data is promptly deleted after verification. Age verification is only required when users wish to access age-restricted content or change certain safety settings, and the verification status will not be disclosed to anyone other than the user.
Furthermore, Discord has announced that it will establish its first 'Minors Committee' to clarify its stance on developing not just 'for minors' but 'with minors.' The committee will consist of 10 to 12 members and aims to incorporate the real perspectives of minors into discussions about safety and well-being. Applications for the initial committee will be open to minors aged 13 to 17 residing in the United States, with applications accepted until May 1, 2026, and the committee is scheduled to be formed later that summer.
These efforts expand the success of minor protection efforts implemented in the UK and Australia in 2025. Discord said, 'We will continue to introduce additional safety features and updates over the coming months to create an environment where minors can feel safe, express themselves, and build meaningful connections.'
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in Software, Web Service, Posted by log1i_yk