Key Highlights:
- Verified adults gain access to restricted servers, content, and settings controls.
- Discord will roll out global age verification beginning early March.
- All users will be placed in teen-appropriate settings by default unless verified as adults.
- Age checks will use facial age estimation or government ID verification.
Discord will begin rolling out mandatory age verification worldwide starting next month, placing all users into a teen-appropriate experience by default unless they confirm they are adults. The move matters because it changes how millions of users access sensitive content, private messages, and server features across the platform.
Under the new system, only verified adults will be able to unblur sensitive media, access age-restricted servers, and modify certain safety settings. Meanwhile, unverified users will remain in restricted default configurations designed for teens.
How Will Discord Age Verification Work?
Users will complete age verification using either facial age estimation or ID submission through third-party vendor partners. Discord says video selfies used for facial estimation stay on the user’s device, while submitted IDs are deleted quickly after verification.
In some cases, users may need to complete more than one verification method if additional confirmation is required. Discord also plans to introduce more verification options in the future.
What Platform Features Will Change?
The new policy will affect multiple features across the platform:
- Messages from unknown users will automatically move to a separate inbox.
- Only verified adults can modify certain messaging safety settings.
- Warning prompts will appear for friend requests from unfamiliar users.
- Only verified adults can speak onstage in servers or access restricted commands.
These adjustments aim to strengthen protections for younger users while giving adults broader control once verified.
Why Is Discord Expanding Age Checks Now?
The global rollout follows similar safety initiatives introduced in the U.K. and Australia last year and reflects broader international pressure on platforms to improve child-safety protections. Other companies have also begun implementing age-estimation systems to tailor user experiences based on age groups.
However, the shift also comes amid ongoing debates about privacy risks tied to identity verification systems, particularly after a previously disclosed third-party vendor breach exposed some user data related to age-appeal processes.
What Happens Next?
The rollout begins in early March and will apply to both new and existing accounts. Users who want access to adult-only settings and restricted features will need to complete verification once the Discord update reaches their region.
