Discord is strengthening child safety measures across its platform. Starting in March, the company will automatically provide all users with a “teen-friendly experience” by default. As a result, users who want to access adult or age-restricted content must complete an age verification process. In most cases, they will only need to verify their age once.

However, after facing criticism over its initial announcement, Discord adjusted its strategy. The company now explains that its AI-based age estimation system will automatically verify the majority of adult users. Therefore, most users will not need to complete manual verification.

 

Why Discord Is Introducing Age Verification

First of all, Discord aims to create a safer environment for younger users. In recent years, regulators and parents have raised concerns about access to sensitive content. Consequently, the platform has decided to introduce stricter access controls.

At the same time, Discord wants to avoid creating unnecessary friction for adult users. For this reason, it developed an AI-powered system that can estimate age automatically.

 

Key Changes in the New Safety Update

Under the new update, Discord is implementing several major improvements. These changes focus on safety, privacy, and user control.

Specifically, the platform will introduce:

• Improved communication settings
• Restricted access to age-gated spaces
• Advanced content filtering tools

In addition, users who fail to verify their age as adults will see sensitive content in blurred form. Discord will also block access to age-restricted servers, channels, and certain app commands.

Meanwhile, the system will redirect direct messages (DMs) and friend requests from unknown users to a separate inbox. As a result, users will gain better control over who can contact them.

 

Manual Verification Options for Adults

Although the AI system will verify most adults automatically, some users may not pass the automated check. In that case, they must choose one of two verification options.

Users can either:

• Submit a short selfie video for age estimation
• Upload a government-issued ID through Discord’s authorized partners

According to Discord, the selfie video remains on the user’s device and does not get stored externally. Similarly, verification partners delete ID documents shortly after confirming age.

In most situations, users will complete this process only once. However, Discord may request additional verification in limited cases if necessary.

Earlier, the company mentioned several possible verification methods, including a background age inference system. Nevertheless, after receiving public feedback, Discord clarified that the AI-based age estimation model will serve as the primary method for most adults.

 

How the Age Estimation System Works

Discord relies on account-level signals to estimate a user’s age. Rather than analyzing conversations, the system focuses on technical and behavioral indicators.

For example, it evaluates:

• Account age and activity history
• Device-related information
• User behavior patterns
• Aggregated trends across communities

Importantly, the company emphasizes that it does not analyze private messages or chat content during this process. Therefore, user conversations remain untouched.

 

Previous Child Safety Measures

This is not the first time Discord has strengthened its safety policies. In 2023, the company banned teen dating channels and removed AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

Later that year, it introduced stricter content filters and automated safety alerts. These updates followed reports linking platform communications to serious criminal cases, including grooming, kidnapping, and sexual assault.

As a result, Discord has continued to expand its safety framework.

 

Discord Launches a Teen Council

Alongside the new verification system, Discord is forming a Teen Council consisting of 10 to 12 members aged 13 to 17.

Through this initiative, the company seeks direct feedback from teenagers. In other words, Discord wants to understand how young users build relationships online and what makes them feel safe and supported.

 

Global Rollout Timeline

Finally, Discord will begin rolling out these new safety features worldwide in early March. Both new and existing users may need to complete age verification before accessing adult content.

Overall, the company aims to balance child safety with user convenience while maintaining privacy protections.