The World According to Discord: Your Guide to the Online Chat Platform

Last Updated on 27th August 2025

Reading Time: 6.5 mins

Published: August 28, 2025

We are frequently being introduced to apps and new features that promise to help keep you more connected to others – one of them being Discord. You may have already heard of this popular platform, but what is it?

While Discord offers a range of features that encourage connection and creativity, it’s important for parents to understand how the platform works and what potential risks it may pose. From private messaging and voice chats to open communities called ‘servers’, Discord can expose children and young people to unmoderated content, inappropriate behaviour, or contact with strangers. This article will guide you through the basics of Discord, highlight key safety concerns, and offer practical tips to help you keep your child’s experience safer.

What is Discord?

Discord is a free online social media platform for people with similar interests, where they can share ideas and communicate. It is popular with gamers as it allows them to communicate during gameplay as well as have discussions outside of the game.

The platform is available through web browsers, a mobile app, and also on Xbox consoles. It allows users to communicate using voice, text, and images through closed groups known as ‘servers’.

‘Discord Nitro’ is the premium version of the platform that is available for a fee, which gives access to additional features such as HD video streaming, custom emojis and custom profiles.

How Does it Work?

Discord uses servers to connect people and all users can create their own server for free. Servers are based on individual topics or interests, such as specific games, TV shows or sports teams. They can be public, with anyone able to join, or private, which requires an invite to the server from a server admin.

Once granted access to a server, users can participate in an open chat with others from all over the world. Text, video, and voice chat options are available, with limitations on how many people can join in. Many young people use the ‘screenshare’ option to communicate with each other while watching films, playing multiplayer video games, or watching sport matches. There are private chat options available as well.

©Discord: Blurred screen showing the Discord desktop view

Age Restrictions

Discord’s Terms of Service require users to be 13+ to use the platform. Previously, it was relatively easy for a child to bypass this using a fake age, however new age verification measures have been imposed by Discord to comply with the Online Safety Act in the UK.

Note: There have reports that some young people are using VPNs to bypass the age verification processes on platforms such as Discord. Read our article to find out more about VPNs and the risks associated with them.

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Safety Settings

Discord offer specific safety settings for under 18 users, aiming to protect children and young people from potential harms through various safety features.

Discord Family Center

Family Center is a tool to “help parents and guardians better understand how their teens use Discord”. It directly connects to the young person’s account, allowing their parent or carer access to information such as their recently added friends, who they have messaged and what servers they are members of.

Age-Restricted Spaces

Content that is considered ‘sexually explicit’ can only be shared in ‘NSFW’ servers, which is only accessible by users who are 18 years and older.

Safety Alerts

When an under 18 user receives a message from another user for the first time, Discord will detect if a ‘safety alert’ should be sent to the under 18 user. This alert will encourage them to check if they want to reply and provide links to block the user who has messaged them.

Sensitive Content Filters

Discord will automatically blur images for under 18 users that may be ‘sensitive’ in direct messages and servers. This gives the user an extra layer of caution, allowing them to decide if they want to view it or not. However, this a default setting that can be changed in user settings.

Direct Messaging Settings

By default, whenever an under 18 is a member of a server, anybody within that server can message them privately. This can be disabled by clicking on the server’s settings and deselecting the ‘Direct Messages’ option.

What Are the Risks?

While Discord can be a fun and engaging way for young people to stay connected, it’s important for parents to be aware of the potential risks that come with using the platform. Understanding these risks is the first step in helping the child in your care navigate the platform responsibly, which ultimately will keep them safer.

Grooming

Discord’s simple design and special interest categories are especially appealing to children and young people as it allows them to explore their hobbies with similarly minded people. However, this creates a prime environment for someone with harmful intentions to easily build a relationship with a young person based on these similar interests. This creates the illusion of friendship and trust and can lead to more serious consequences, such as sextortion.

Inappropriate or Harmful Content

Sometimes, Discord’s moderation may not flag NSFW material on servers, even ones that are meant to be safe for under 18s. Content might simply be inappropriate for their age, such as adult language and jokes, or it may be inherently harmful, such as content covering self-harm, eating disorders and sexualised content.

Harsh or Inappropriate Language and Bullying

As Discord operates on a live chat basis, messages can often be viewed before moderators remove them. Therefore, children and young people might be exposed to language that is racist, misogynistic, and sexual in nature.

Our Top Tips

Have Open Conversations

Take time with the child or young person to talk about their online habits in a positive environment that is free from judgement. Ask open-ended questions like, “why do you like using Discord?” or “what sort of content do you like seeing?” This will encourage them to be more honest about their habits and come to you if they have questions.

Ensure they know who their trusted adults are if they need to discuss something they have seen online that is harmful or has made them uncomfortable.

Utilise Parental Controls Effectively

Make use of the safety features to take the essential steps towards making the online experience safer for children and young people. Discuss with the child or young person why you have chosen the selected restrictions and come to an agreement as this will help them feel involved and in control. If they feel that you have breached their privacy and taken over their account without consent, it may lead them to lie about their online habits.

As the child or young person gets older, you may wish to alter the restrictions, so review them frequently.

Monitor Their Activity

It’s not simply enough to set the controls that Discord offer, you need to implement offline methods alongside this to make them as effective as possible. Consistently monitor your child’s online habits through open conversations and showing interest in their activity.

Check Their Age

Ask the young person to show you that the date of birth they have submitted to Discord is correct, explaining that the controls in place are there for their safety and to enhance their experience, not take away from it.

Consider Individual Needs

Each child’s ability to take responsibility for their online experience varies by age, character and resilience. Tailor the restrictions to best suit them – you know them best!

Teach Online Safety

Educate the child or young person on how to use social media safely, including reporting and blocking content that is harmful. Empowering them to make smarter online decisions will ultimately keep them safer!

Further Resources

Join our Online Safeguarding Hub Newsletter Network

Members of our network receive weekly updates on the trends, risks and threats to children and young people online.

Who are your Trusted Adults?

The Trusted Adult video explains who young people might speak to and includes examples of trusted adults, charities and organisations.

Watch on Vimeo

Discussing Online Life With Your Child

Use our video for guidance and advice around constructing conversations about the online world with the children in your care.

Watch on Vimeo