Communications platform Discord will introduce age-verification tools worldwide next month, in an effort to better protect the millions of teenagers who use the app.Users will be required to verify their age through either a facial scan or by uploading a form of identification.Once verified, they will be able to access age-restricted channels and servers and view sensitive content.
Discord already operates limited age-verification systems in Australia and the United Kingdom, which are expected to be expanded as part of the global rollout.The company said in its announcement that it will not store verification videos or ID photos on its own servers or those of its verification partner.It will rely on AI to estimate a user’s age based on facial features.
Discord has more than 200 million monthly active users and is primarily used for instant messaging and voice chat.While the platform originated in gaming communities, it has broadened its appeal in recent years, with servers now covering a wide range of interests and online communities, some of which host explicit content.Discord does not actively monitor individual servers; instead, it relies on content moderation approaches similar to those used by Reddit.
“Nowhere is our safety work more important than when it comes to teen users, which is why we are announcing these updates in time for Safer Internet Day,” said Savannah Badalich, head of product policy at Discord.“Rolling out teen-by-default settings globally builds on Discord’s existing safety architecture, giving teens strong protections while allowing verified adults flexibility.” Getting ahead of potential social media bans The move marks one of the first large-scale deployments of a global age-verification system by a major social platform and may be aimed at pre-empting stricter regulation around under-18 access.Australia recently became the first country to restrict social media use for those under 16, a decision that has prompted legal challenges and criticism from several technology companies, including Reddit.
Discord was exempt from the Australia ban, likely because it is positioned more as a communications tool than a traditional social network, though that status may not hold as regulations evolve elsewhere.According to reports, at least seven European countries are considering similar measures, with age thresholds ranging from 15 to 16.The European Union is also weighing stricter, bloc-wide rules, after a large majority of lawmakers in the European Parliament voted in favour of tougher protections for minors online.
The United Kingdom, New Zealand, and several provinces in Canada have also signalled interest in comparable restrictions.Must-read security coverage UK Police Convicts Pair in £5.5 Billion Bitcoin Launder Case Blackpoint Cyber vs.Arctic Wolf: Which MDR Solution is Right for You? How GitHub Is Securing the Software Supply Chain 8 Best Enterprise Password Managers Major players respond The long-standing model that allows social media platforms to onboard users from the age of 13 may be nearing its end.
Alongside regulatory pressure, the industry is facing a growing number of lawsuits accusing major platforms of contributing to mental health issues and deliberately designing addictive features for teenagers.Some companies, including Discord, are moving early to strengthen verification systems and limit underage access.TikTok has said it is updating its tools to prevent users under 13 from accessing the app, while Meta has indicated it will develop similar systems for Facebook and Instagram.
Also read: Meta removed 544,000 teen accounts under Australia’s under-16 social media rules.Subscribe to the Innovation Insider Newsletter Catch up on the latest tech innovations that are changing the world, including IoT, 5G, the latest about phones, security, smart cities, AI, robotics, and more.Delivered Tuesdays and Fridays Subscribe to the Innovation Insider Newsletter Catch up on the latest tech innovations that are changing the world, including IoT, 5G, the latest about phones, security, smart cities, AI, robotics, and more.
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