Is Discord App safe for kids? A Parent’s Ultimate Guide
What is Discord?
Discord is less well-known among parents than big names like Snapchat or TikTok. It’s a chat app that’s become incredibly popular among tweens and teens. Think of it as a mix between a group chat and a social media platform where they can talk about anything from video games to school projects. Discord started as a platform for gamers to chat while playing, but it’s grown into a space where anyone can create “servers” to talk about anything.
Discord has become incredibly popular among teens, with its user base growing rapidly. As of April 2024, there are around 200 million active Discord users worldwide. It’s a hotspot for young people, especially those in the Gen Z age group (13-25), with 35% of them in the U.S. reporting they use the app. About 19 million servers are buzzing with activity weekly, hosting an astounding 4 billion minutes of daily conversations. It’s clear that Discord has become a major platform for social interaction, gaming, and community building among teens.
As parents, it’s important to know where our kids are hanging out online, and Discord is no exception. While it can be a great place for them to socialize and learn, it also has risks. Understanding how Discord works can help you set boundaries and guide your child in using the platform safely. So, let’s dive in!
What Are “Servers” in Discord?
Think of Discord servers as virtual clubhouses where people gather to chat about shared interests. Each server is like a room in a giant house dedicated to a specific topic or hobby. You can find servers for anything—from popular games like Minecraft to Harry Potter fan clubs or even a study group for homework help.
Discord has no built-in way to search for servers unless you’ve already joined them. The vast majority of servers are private and invite-only. You need an invitation link to join, or, in some cases, you can sync your contacts and start your own server. All users can receive friend invitations from anyone on the same server by default. This feature opens up the possibility of private messaging.
How old should you be to use Discord?
Discord’s policy requires users to be at least 13 years old, but here’s the catch—they don’t actually check your age when you sign up. As parents, we know that just because kids can do something doesn’t always mean they should. That’s why we recommended that kids be at least 15 before diving into Discord, especially with all the privacy settings and parental controls in place.
Privacy Settings in Discord
Discord offers various privacy settings to help young users stay safe while enjoying the platform. Here’s a breakdown of some key features you should know about:
Sensitive Content Filter: Teen Safety Assist Initiative
Discord has introduced a Sensitive Content Filter to help protect teens from inappropriate content. Teens can adjust these settings in their Privacy & Safety settings, choosing whether to blur or block sensitive content. This filter detects media that may be sensitive and applies a blur or block effect to it, according to their preference. Here’s how it works:
- For D.M.s from friends: The default selection will be set to blur sensitive media for teens. This selection will create the sensitive media experience shown above. If the block selection is made, this media will be blocked at upload and not shown at all.
- For D.M.s from non-friends: The default selection will be set to block sensitive media for teens. This means the media will be blocked at upload and not shown at all.
But then, this method is not foolproof. Teens can always press on the eye icon to unblur the media.
D.M. Spam Filter: Keeping Unwanted Messages at Bay
Nobody likes spam, especially in direct messages. Discord’s D.M. Spam Filter helps manage unwanted messages by sending them to a separate spam inbox. There are three options available:
- Filter all direct messages: This setting filters every D.M. you receive, ensuring only messages from known contacts reach your inbox.
- Filter direct messages from non-friends: This option filters messages only from people who aren’t on your friend’s list.
- Do not filter direct messages: Choose this if you prefer not to filter any messages.
These settings are customizable, so you can easily adjust them based on your comfort level and your child’s safety needs.
Direct Messages (D.M.) Settings: Control Who Can Contact Your Child
Sometimes, limiting who can send direct messages is nice, especially for younger users. By default, Discord allows anyone on the same server to send you a D.M. However, you can change this:
- Toggle Off D.M.s: You can turn off the “Allow direct messages from server members” setting to block D.M.s from users who aren’t on your friend’s list. This is a simple way to limit interactions to only people your child knows and trusts.
Usage Tracker in Discord: Family Center
Discord’s Family Center is a tool for parents to understand better how their teens use the app and what communities they’re part of. This feature can be found in the Discord app’s User Settings.
What Parents Can See:
- Recent Friends: You can view your child’s recently added friends, along with their display names and avatars.
- Messaging and Call Activity: You can see which users your child has been messaging or calling, whether in direct messages or group chats. This includes seeing the names, icons, and the number of people in these interactions.
- Server Participation: You can also see which servers your child has joined or participated in, including the server names, icons, and the number of members.
What Parents Cannot See:
However, Family Center doesn’t allow you to see the actual content of your child’s messages or calls. So, while you can monitor who they’re interacting with, their conversations remain private.
Setting Up Family Center:
You’ll need the Discord app on your phone to set up Family Centre. Start by asking your teen for a Q.R. code, which you’ll scan with your app. After scanning, a connection request will be sent to your teen. They need to accept this request for you to view their activity details. Once connected, you can access the Family Center by tapping on “My Family” to see all connected teens.
The Dangers of Discord: What Parents Should Know
Discord can seem like a harmless platform where our kids can chat with friends and play games. However, there are some serious dangers that parents should be aware of. Even though Discord offers privacy settings and parental controls, they aren’t foolproof and can be easily bypassed. Here are some key concerns:
1. No Age Verification
Discord doesn’t have a solid system for verifying age. Children under the recommended age can easily join the platform by providing a fake birthdate. Similarly, older individuals can pose as younger users to connect with teens, creating a potential risk for inappropriate interactions.
2. Weak Parental Controls
While Discord does offer privacy settings, these are controlled by the child. Kids can toggle these settings on or off as they wish, making it difficult for parents to enforce safe usage. The Family Center feature requires the child to share a Q.R. code to link accounts with parents, and parents can’t monitor their activity if they choose not to. Additionally, parents might not even know their child is using Discord, which adds to the challenge.
3. A Hub for Grooming
Unfortunately, Discord can be a place where grooming occurs. Minors may unknowingly connect with strangers on public servers or through private messages, sometimes invited by someone else in the chat or via a shared link. There have been incidents reported, such as a father in Boston who discovered his 13-year-old daughter was being approached by a much older man asking for inappropriate photos.
4. Inappropriate Content
Discord’s transparency report for the fourth quarter of 2023 revealed over 12 million reports of inappropriate content. This includes platform manipulation like spam, harassment, bullying, and unsolicited explicit content. Disturbingly, this content can involve coercion or grooming, especially targeting minors. The report also highlighted issues like hateful conduct, violent content, and Not Safe for Work (NSFW) material.
5. Extremist Groups
Gaming chatrooms and forums, including those on Discord, can be breeding grounds for extremist groups. These groups promote political, ideological, or religious agendas and may encourage violence to achieve their goals. For instance, the FBI investigated a Discord server where members, including young men, shared racist jokes, discussed conspiracy theories, and even leaked military secrets.
Mobicip – Parental Controls for Discord
Mobicip is a leading parental control app designed to help parents keep their children safe in the digital world. With so many kids using platforms like Discord, it’s more important than ever for parents to have the right tools to monitor and manage their children’s online activities. Let’s see a few key features Mobicip offers!
1. Notifications for New Apps
Often, we might not even know our kids have downloaded a new app like Discord. Mobicip helps bridge this gap by sending instant notifications whenever a new app is installed on your child’s device. This feature is a lifesaver because it lets you immediately decide whether the app is appropriate and, if needed, take action using Mobicip’s controls.
2. Blocking Apps and Websites
If you feel that Discord isn’t suitable for your child, whether they’re below the recommended age or you’re concerned about its content, Mobicip’s app blocker can come to the rescue. You can block the Discord app entirely, and with the website blocker feature, you can prevent access to Discord on web browsers.
3. Setting Time Limits
It’s easy for children to lose track of time while chatting or gaming online. Mobicip allows you to set specific time limits for how long your child can use screens daily or weekly. This helps them balance their screen time with other activities. Making sure they do not stay engrossed in the digital world.
4. Tracking App and Web Usage
Mobicip provides detailed reports on your child’s app and web usage, including how much time they’re spending on Discord. You can see patterns and get alerts if something seems off, like an unusual increase in usage. It helps you stay informed about their online habits and step in if necessary.
5. Multi-platform Support
Mobicip works across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and Mac. Since Discord is available on various devices, Mobicip offers a one-stop solution to manage your child’s activities on all their gadgets, ensuring consistent safety measures are in place no matter what device they’re using.
How Can Parents Keep Their Children Safe on Discord?
So, your child is using Discord—now what? Here are some practical steps you can take to ensure their safety while navigating this popular app.
1. Teach Responsible Internet Use
First things first: have an open conversation with your child about online safety. Explain the importance of not connecting with strangers and the risks involved. Encourage them to only chat with people they know in real life (and that you know too!). Make sure they understand the value of keeping personal information private, like their real name, address, and phone number. Emphasize the importance of reporting any uncomfortable situations.
2. Set Ground Rules for Discord Use
Establishing ground rules for Discord is crucial. Decide which servers and communities your child can join—preferably ones that are safe and age-appropriate. Encourage them to stick to verified servers, which you can spot by the checkmark badge in the top left corner. Set guidelines about who they can befriend and communicate with on the platform. Make it clear that in-app purchases in Discord called “Nitro” are off-limits unless you’ve discussed it first.
3. Use Mobicip Parental Control for Protection
Mobicip offers a great set of tools to help you keep tabs on your child’s Discord activity. You can monitor app usage, set time limits, and even block the app if necessary. It’s having an extra pair of eyes to help keep your child safe online.
4. Set Up Discord App Privacy Settings Together
While kids can change their settings, sitting down with them and going through the privacy settings together is a good idea. This can be a great opportunity to discuss why these settings are important and how they protect them from unwanted interactions or content.
5. Regularly Monitor and Communicate
Finally, make it a habit to check in on your child’s Discord activity regularly. Mobicip can help you track usage data. It’s also important to have conversations with your child about their online experiences. Ask them about the people they interact with, the servers they’re part of, and any new developments
Staying informed and involved in your child’s online activities is key to keeping them safe in today’s digital world. Platforms like Discord offer great opportunities for connection and fun, but they also come with their own set of challenges. By being proactive and using tools like Mobicip, you can help manage your child’s Discord usage and ensure they navigate the platform safely.
Don’t leave their online safety to chance. Take charge with Mobicip and get the peace of mind you deserve. Download Mobicip today and start protecting your child online—because their safety should never be on autopilot.
