Discord is preparing to roll out a significant upgrade in user verification, aiming to enforce stricter age restrictions and enhance overall safety for its millions of users. This move comes amid broader efforts to safeguard the platform from inappropriate content.
Savannah Badalich, Discord’s global head of product policy, highlighted these changes would take effect next month. For most adults, age verification won’t be necessary due to Discord’s advanced age inference model. This system uses account data like tenure, device usage, and aggregated community patterns without accessing individual messages or content.
The new features are part of Discord’s ongoing commitment to online security. Users who fail the adult verification will face substantial restrictions: they will be barred from entering restricted servers and channels, particularly livestream-style “stage” areas where minors often appear live. Additional filters on sensitive material will also ensure safer viewing experiences for all users.
Discord is introducing enhanced safety measures as well—prompts alerting friends who don’t match user preferences or direct messages flagged by the system are moved to a separate inbox. These new protocols aim to strengthen Discord’s ability to protect its younger audience from inappropriate content and interactions.
As social media companies face increasing scrutiny over online safety, these changes represent one of Discord’s most substantial policy revisions in recent history. The initiative reflects broader industry efforts to better safeguard minors while preserving the platform’s vibrant community atmosphere for adults.