Singapore – Discord Inc. has announced the global rollout of teen-by-default settings, strengthening age-appropriate protections for users aged 13 and over while maintaining privacy, community, and meaningful connection on the platform.
From early March, new and existing users worldwide will automatically receive a teen-appropriate experience.
Updated communication settings, restricted access to age-gated spaces, and enhanced content filtering will apply by default.
To change certain settings or access sensitive content, some users may be required to complete an age-verification process.
“Nowhere is our safety work more important than when it comes to teen users, which is why we are announcing these updates in time for Safer Internet Day. Rolling out teen-by-default settings globally builds on Discord’s existing safety architecture, giving teens strong protections while allowing verified adults flexibility,” said Savannah Badalich, head of Product Policy at Discord.
“We design our products with teen safety principles at the core and will continue working with safety experts, policymakers, and Discord users to support meaningful, long-term wellbeing for teens on the platform,” Badalich explained.
The company’s privacy-forward age assurance system allows users to choose facial age estimation, processed on-device, or submit identification through vendor partners, with documents deleted shortly after confirmation.
Discord is also introducing an age inference model that runs in the background to help determine whether an account belongs to an adult, reducing the need for repeated verification.
The company asserted that a user’s verification status will remain private.
Under the new default settings, only age-assured adults will be able to unblur sensitive content, access age-restricted channels, servers, and app commands, adjust message request inbox settings, or speak on stage in servers.
Direct messages from unknown users will be filtered into a separate inbox by default, and users will receive warning prompts for unfamiliar friend requests.
The global expansion follows a successful launch of teen-by-default settings in the UK and Australia last year.
The company is also recruiting for its inaugural Teen Council, a 10–12 member advisory group for users aged 13–17.
The council will provide direct input on product features, policies, and educational resources, ensuring teen perspectives inform future platform decisions. Applications are open until 1 May 2026.
The initiative builds on Discord’s wider safety ecosystem, which includes tools such as Ignore, Family Center, Teen Safety Assist, the Warning System, and the Guardian’s Guide, reinforcing the company’s commitment to privacy-forward, age-appropriate digital experiences.
