New Age-Checks Arrive
Starting next month, Discord will require all its over 200 million monthly active users worldwide to verify their age. This global mandate necessitates
either a facial age estimation process or the submission of identification documents to confirm users are at least 18 years old. This move aligns with a broader trend across social media and AI platforms to strengthen child safety measures in response to increased legal and regulatory pressures. It also points towards a future where online access might become more age-gated, especially as some regions consider restrictions on teen social media use. This proactive step by Discord is designed to create a safer online environment by ensuring certain content and communities remain accessible only to adults.
Verification Process Details
Discord's approach to age verification begins with its internal 'age inference model,' which analyzes account information, device data, and platform-wide activity patterns to estimate a user's age. However, when this automated system cannot reliably determine a user's age, individuals will be prompted to undergo a manual verification. This involves either submitting a video selfie for facial age estimation or uploading a government-issued ID to Discord's third-party partners. The platform assures users that video selfies will remain on their device and ID data will be promptly deleted post-verification. It's also noted that multiple verification methods might be requested if further confirmation is needed. Accounts that cannot be verified as over 18 will be transitioned into a 'teen-appropriate' experience with limitations.
Teen Account Differences
From early March, all Discord accounts will, by default, operate within a 'teen-appropriate experience.' To exit this mode and access full platform features, users must confirm they are over 18. Only verified adults will gain access to age-restricted servers, channels, and specific app commands. Certain actions, like unblurring sensitive content or altering safety settings, will also require adult status confirmation. Furthermore, adults will be the only ones permitted to speak on stage in servers. For users under 18, messages from unfamiliar accounts might be directed to a separate inbox, and friend requests from unknown users will trigger a warning prompt to enhance their safety.
Who Needs Verification?
Discord has clarified that the majority of adult users will not be subjected to mandatory face scans or ID uploads. The platform's internal age inference technology, which leverages account tenure, device activity, and aggregated community patterns, is expected to accurately assess the age for most individuals. Discord explicitly states that private messages and their content are not used in this age estimation process. The need for manual age verification arises primarily when users seek access to age-restricted features or content, such as specific servers and channels, or when modifying certain safety configurations. For the vast majority, daily usage will continue uninterrupted without any age verification prompts.
Reasons for Policy Shift
The introduction of mandatory age verification by Discord reflects a significant global trend among online platforms grappling with escalating concerns over child safety. Faced with increasing legal scrutiny and lawsuits, social media and AI services are proactively implementing stricter age-gating measures. This global rollout follows earlier tests in regions like the UK and Australia last year. Discord's head of product policy emphasized that these 'teen-by-default' settings enhance existing safety protocols, offering robust protections for younger users while retaining flexibility for verified adults. The company asserts its commitment to prioritizing teen safety through ongoing collaboration with safety experts, policymakers, and users.
Privacy and User Concerns
Discord's new age-verification policy has sparked considerable user frustration, with some expressing intentions to leave the platform or cancel subscriptions. Significant privacy concerns have also been raised, particularly in light of a past data breach where sensitive user data, including government ID photos, was exposed due to a third-party vendor used for age-related appeals. Although Discord has ceased working with that vendor, privacy advocates highlight this incident as a stark reminder of the risks associated with handling user data. Organizations like the EFF oppose mandatory age verification, arguing it can lead to censorship, enable surveillance, and compromise user anonymity by restricting access to online spaces that offer vital support and education.
Global Platform Comparisons
Discord's move is part of a broader industry-wide effort to enhance online child safety, with several major platforms adopting similar age-verification strategies. Instagram began requiring video selfies from underage users who changed their age in 2022 and has since intensified efforts to place teens in more private accounts. Roblox introduced mandatory facial verification for chat access earlier this year, with over 45% of its daily active users completing an age check. YouTube launched its age-estimation technology in the US in 2025 to provide age-appropriate experiences, and OpenAI recently rolled out an AI model to identify users under 18 based on account and behavioral signals. These initiatives showcase a collective push towards more regulated online environments.
