Discord to introduce age checks worldwide to protect teen users

Discord is getting ready to introduce age verification for users around the world, aiming to limit young people’s access to adult content on the platform.

Under the new system, everyone will start with a teen-friendly version of Discord. Only users who confirm they are adults will be allowed to join age-restricted communities, view sensitive content clearly, or receive direct messages from people they do not know.

The platform, which has more than 200 million monthly users, said the changes will begin rolling out globally from early March. Similar age checks are already used in some countries, including the UK and Australia.

To verify age, users will be asked to either upload a government issued ID or complete a short video selfie. Technology will then be used to estimate their age. Discord said it will not keep face scan data, and ID images will be deleted once the check is finished.

Savannah Badalich, head of policy at , said the company wants to create a safer space for teenagers while still allowing adults full access after verification.

The move has drawn mixed reactions. Some experts say stronger safety rules are a positive step, but warn that applying age checks across millions of communities could be difficult. 

Others believe the changes may attract users who care more about online safety, even if some leave because of the new rules.

Privacy concerns remain an issue. In the past, Discord faced criticism after ID images were exposed during a security breach at a third-party verification company.

The announcement comes as governments around the world increase pressure on social media platforms to better protect children online.

Discord’s chief executive Jason Citron was questioned about child safety at a US Senate hearing in 2024, along with leaders from other major tech companies.

With these steps, Discord is following a wider trend seen across the tech industry, as platforms work to make online spaces safer for younger users.