Discord will now force everyone to verify their age or they’ll be “Teen by default”

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Starting in March, Discord will begin implementing a new program called Teen By Default globally. This update includes improved safety features and ways to verify users’ ages.

Discord says the new update will automatically tailor experiences to users’ ages. It will limit access to potentially sensitive content, certain communication features, and private areas unless users prove they are adults.

Starting in early March, we’re updating all accounts – both new and existing – with improved protections. These changes will be rolled out gradually, building on tests we’ve already done in some areas.

Teen By Default will require age checks for certain features

With the updated system, users might need to prove their age to change certain settings or access content meant for adults. This applies to things like specific servers, chat channels, app features, and private messages.

Discord is introducing a new system to verify users’ ages. This system offers a few options, including estimating age from a face scan or submitting a government ID through trusted partners. They plan to add even more ways to verify age in the future.

As a long-time Discord user, I’m really excited to hear about all the new safety features they’re rolling out globally! It sounds like they’re making things much safer for younger users by automatically setting accounts to be teen-focused and working on ways to verify ages. Even better, they’re starting a Teen Council – which is awesome! It’s great that Discord is actually listening to teens and letting us help shape the platform. I think this is a huge step in the right direction.

— Discord Support (@discord_support) February 9, 2026

The company is also launching a system that estimates a user’s age to help ensure accounts are adult-owned, without always needing direct proof. If needed, some users might be asked to verify their age in multiple ways.

The company outlined several privacy protections tied to the process:

  • On-device processing: Video selfies for facial age estimation never leave a user’s device.
  • Quick deletion: Identity documents submitted to our vendor partners are deleted quickly – in most cases, immediately after age confirmation.
  • Straightforward verification: In most cases, users complete the process once, and their Discord experience adapts to their verified age group. Users may be asked to use multiple methods only when more information is needed to assign an age group.
  • Private status: A user’s age verification status cannot be seen by other users. 

In addition to tools that help confirm users’ ages, Discord is now automatically enabling new safety features for everyone. Images and videos that might be considered sensitive will be blurred unless a user confirms they are an adult. Only adult-verified users will be able to access servers, channels, or features that are specifically for mature audiences.

So, when I get messages from people I don’t recognize, they’ll automatically go into a separate inbox. It’s cool that I can change this, but it looks like only accounts verified as belonging to adults will have that option. Basically, they’re trying to keep things safe for everyone!

You’ll now get warnings when someone you don’t know sends you a friend request. Also, only accounts verified as belonging to adults will be able to speak on server stages.

Discord is announcing this update to align with Safer Internet Day, according to Savannah Badalich, who leads product policy at the company.

We’re prioritizing the safety of teen users, especially as we approach Safer Internet Day, and are launching new default settings worldwide. These settings strengthen our existing safety features, offering robust protection for teens while still giving verified adults some flexibility.

We build safety into everything we create for teens, and we’re committed to ongoing collaboration with experts, leaders, and our users to help young people thrive on Discord.

So, Discord is rolling out some new safety stuff, and I’m actually pretty happy about it. They’re calling it ‘Teen By Default,’ and it’s basically building on all the tools they already have – things like being able to ignore people, the Family Center, Teen Safety Assist, the warning system, and the Guardian’s Guide. They’re planning to make these new, safer settings the default for everyone worldwide starting in March. It feels like they’re really trying to make the platform a better place, especially for younger players like my little brother.

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2026-02-09 17:49