Discord has announced that it will be implementing age verification globally starting next month. This new feature will default all users into a “teen-appropriate experience” unless they can prove they are adults. In order to change certain settings and access age-restricted content, age verification will be required.
Users on Discord will need to confirm their adult status to unblur sensitive content or disable this setting. Only adults will have access to age-restricted channels, servers, and app commands. Additionally, messages from unknown users will be directed to a separate inbox by default, and only verified adults can adjust this setting.
To complete the age verification process, users will have to either undergo facial age estimation or submit an ID to Discord’s vendor partners. The platform intends to introduce more verification options in the future. Discord assures users that their video selfies for facial age estimation will not leave their devices. IDs submitted to vendor partners are promptly deleted, usually right after age confirmation.
Savannah Badalich, head of product policy at Discord, emphasized the company’s commitment to teen safety with the introduction of these new settings. The global rollout of age verification follows Discord’s previous implementation of age checks for users in the U.K. and Australia.
This move by Discord aligns with similar initiatives by other online platforms to enhance child safety internationally. For instance, Roblox recently introduced mandatory facial verification for chat access on its platform. YouTube also launched age-estimation technology in the U.S. to identify teen users for a more age-appropriate experience.
The age verification changes on Discord will commence in early March, requiring both new and existing users to verify their age to access age-restricted content. This step reflects Discord’s ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and age-appropriate environment for all users.
