Discord has announced plans to introduce age verification checks globally, as part of new safety measures designed to make the platform more secure and teen-friendly by default.
The update will not require every user to verify their age to create an account. However, age checks will become mandatory for accessing adult or sensitive content, including restricted servers, channels and message requests.
The company said the rollout will begin in early March, with both new and existing users affected.
In a statement, Discord said the move reinforces its long-standing commitment to youth safety, adding that users under 18 will automatically receive stricter communication settings, filtered content, and limited access to age-gated spaces.
How the checks will work
Users may be asked to confirm their age using one of two methods:
- Facial age estimation through a video selfie
- Uploading an official government ID
Discord said it will also introduce an age inference system that runs in the background to determine whether an account likely belongs to an adult, reducing the need for repeated verification.
Some users could be required to complete multiple checks if additional confirmation is needed.
Privacy concerns addressed
With facial scans and ID uploads raising potential privacy concerns, Discord says it has built safeguards into the process.
According to the company:
- Facial scans are processed on the user’s device and do not leave the phone or computer
- Submitted identity documents are deleted quickly, often immediately after verification
- Verification usually happens only once
- Age status remains private and invisible to other users
After completing verification, users will receive confirmation through a direct message from Discord’s official account. They can also view or appeal their assigned age group through their account settings.
Discord added that it will only request age checks within the app itself, warning users that it does not send emails or text messages about the process.
Bigger picture
Online age checks have become increasingly common, especially across Europe, as regulators and parents push for stronger protections for young users.
Discord’s global rollout signals a broader industry shift, as tech companies face mounting pressure to balance child safety, privacy and access to digital communities.
