What is discord?: Discord App Security: What Parents Need To Know

Discord was launched in 2015 as a way for video game players to communicate with each other and develop a community outside of the games themselves. However, since then, it has grown into a comprehensive social network with a wide range of ways to interact with over 140 million * monthly active users.

Note: Discord isn’t just used by gamers these days.

* Source: App Business

How discord works: Discord App Security: What Parents Need To Know

The platform works on the basis of servers. These are set with a particular focus or emphasis as a way for people to come together, discuss and exchange images, links and information. These servers provide voice and text communication through a microphone on the device you are using.

Users can be invited to the servers or search for links online to access them. The person who sets up the server usually sets some ground rules about who it is for and the expected level of courtesy and etiquette.

What you need to use Discord: Discord App Security: What Parents Need To Know

• A computer, tablet, or smartphone
• An email address to set up an account

What is the age rating?: Discord App Security: What Parents Need To Know

13 years and older, however, Discord “updated his age rating to 17+ at Appleorder. “Their website states that they want to” help ensure that minors are not exposed to content that is inappropriate for them. “However, we found that those under the age of 17 can still register and use the platform. The Google Play Store It has a rating of “Teenager”.

Find out more about Game Age Rating Explained

What are the privacy and security settings on Discord?: Discord App Security: What Parents Need To Know

Latest from Discord Transparency Report reveals that 37% of users were harassed on the platform, 12% were victims of cybercrime followed by 9% of content not safe for work (NSFW).

They have implemented some security measures, including:

• use of artificial intelligence (AI) to detect abuse, scams and phishing
• Dedicated moderators who are a key part of making the platform secure, “respond significantly to an increased number of reports while maintaining proactive efforts to keep the most harmful actors off the platform”
• blocking and reporting functions

And these are the privacy and security features that you can enable on the platform:

Choose who can send you a direct message

Safe Direct Messaging offers a semaphore color-coded system to determine if messages should be checked for inappropriate content:

• Keep me safe
  (Scan everyone’s direct message)
• My friends are nice
  (Don’t scan messages from friends)
• I live on the edge
  (Don’t scan anything)

Credit: discordia

Learn more at Discord Parental Controls

Report something

If you see something suspicious or just want to report a user, you can submit a request.

Block direct messages

You can block direct messages (DM) from other members by going to their privacy settings:

Credit: discordia

Choose who can add you as a friend

You can adjust the friend request privileges by who can add you as a friend from the Privacy and safety menu:

Learn more at Discord Parental Controls

Block Users

Just click on the name of the user you want to block.

Credit: discordia

Learn more at Discord Parental Controls

What are the benefits of Discord?

It can be a really powerful way for children of the right age to discover other people with similar interests and build community . This may be due to playing a video game, but it can also be any other interest, such as playing an instrument, a favorite artist, or a favorite author.

Take the time to check in with them to make sure you are talking to who you are chatting with and always encourage them to have positive and appropriate conversations. It can also provide you with the opportunity to equip them with the tools to deal with whatever risky situation they may face.

Please note: You can also use certain privacy and security tools on your mobile device or computer to further limit interactions and location-based information. Take a look at our parental controls for more information.

What to watch out for on Discord

The platform is not suitable for very young children.

Discord contains adult content and must be labeled as accessible only to those over 18 years of age. They have added an option for more than 18 users to tag their contact as “not safe for work.”

Anyone who opens the channel will see a warning message informing them that it may contain NSFW material and asking them to confirm that they are 18 years or older.

Most conversations are private and allow live video and location tracking (strictly optional)

Conversations on Discord are private to the group, making it less open and visible than other social networks. Along with this, you can write, speak, listen and watch live videos of other users. There is also a ‘Nearby’ feature that allows you to add friends who have location features turned on on their device and who are physically close.

Is Discord Safe For Your Child?

It is a beneficial way to connect with other people if they are of the right age to use it and have the proper support and context from parents and caregivers. Children of all ages are likely to face risks on the platform, but younger children should use apps or social platforms designed specifically for them, such as YouTube Kids and PopJam.

Latest Updates

• Stage Discovery – Discord announced on May 13, a new audio feature launching in early June. With Stage Discovery, Discord users can easily find live audio conversations in the various communities that exist in the app.
• Stage Channel – Discord will also begin testing ticketed events for Stage Channel conversations this month.