Launched in 2015,
Discord is a platform for people with similar interests to share and
communicate. It is popular with the gaming community as it offers a way for
video game players to communicate with each other and develop a community
outside of the games themselves.
However, it has grown
into a full social network with over 140 million* monthly active users. It's
not just popular with gamers anymore.
How does it work
The Discord platform works by using
servers. These are set up with a particular focus or theme as a way for people
to come together online to discuss and exchange images, links, and information.
These servers offer text channels and voice chat through a microphone on the
device you use.
Servers identified
with a hashtag (#) are text channels, which are the most popular. Users share
messages as well as images and GIFs.
Voice channels have a
speaker icon next to them. When users join, they automatically hear ongoing
conversations and can join. Additionally, a chat feature like those available
in text channels allows users to communicate in multiple ways at once.
Users can be invited
to the servers or find online links to access them. The person who sets up the
server usually sets some ground rules about who the server is for and what
behavior is expected. They may also provide strict guidelines for filtering out
explicit content and ensure that their moderator accounts are secure.
What is Discord Nitro?
Discord Nitro is a
premium version of the platform. The subscription allows users to customize
their profiles, use a different avatar on each server, and use custom emojis
anywhere. Users also have access to better quality videos, upload sizes, and
more. Nitro prices vary depending on what you want to include and can start at
£4.69/month.
What you need to use the platform
●
A computer, tablet or smartphone with an
internet connection
● An email address to
set up an account
Minimum age required
13 years and older,
unless local law requires a higher age. However, Discord "updated its age
rating to 17+ at Apple's request." Their website states that they want to
"help ensure that minors are not exposed to content that is inappropriate
for them." But those under 17 can still register and use the platform. The
Google Play Store has a "Teen" rating.
Because users can
share images in text channels or participate in voice chats, young users are at
risk of being exposed to inappropriate content or language.
What are the benefits of Discord?
It can be a really
powerful way for teens to discover other people with similar interests and
build a community. This could be from playing a video game, but it could also
be any other interest, such as playing an instrument, liking a favorite artist,
or reading books by a favorite author.
Take the time to
communicate with your child to make sure they know who they are chatting with.
Always encourage them to have positive and appropriate conversations. It can
also provide you with the opportunity to equip them with the tools to deal with
any risky situation they may face online.
Please note: You can
also use certain privacy and security tools on your mobile device or computer
to further limit location-based information and interactions. Take a look at
our parental controls for more information.
To be careful
The platform is not suitable for
very young children.
Some Discord servers
contain adult content and are labeled as 18+ only. Anyone who opens the channel
sees a warning message informing them that it may contain graphic content and
asking them to confirm that they are over 18 years of age. Servers that contain
adult material but are not tagged should be reported.
Most conversations are private and
allow live video and location tracking (strictly optional)
Conversations on
Discord are private to the group, making it less open and visible than other
social networks. Along with this, you can write, talk, listen and watch live
videos of other users. There's also a 'Nearby' feature that lets you add
friends who have location features turned on on their device who are physically
nearby.
Is Discord safe for your child?
It is a beneficial way
to connect with others if they are of the right age and have the right support
and context from parents and carers. Children of all ages are likely to be at
risk on the platform, but children under the age of 13 should use social apps
or platforms that are designed specifically for them like YouTube Kids and
PopJam.
The platform encourages users to
donate to others.
In addition to the
Discord Nitro subscription fee, users can also spend money on other users.
Users can donate to the channels they follow or join paid servers. Also, users
who stream on Discord can monetize their videos on services like YouTube. It is
important to discuss money management with your child so that he or she
understands the importance of choosing where to best spend your money.
Latest updates
●
Disinformation and Hate Speech – As of March
28, 2022, Discord updated its community guidelines to prohibit harmful
misinformation. In some cases, they may also consider behavior outside of the
platform. They also updated their hate speech policy to include caste, gender
identity, age, and serious illness, among others. See more about this update
here.
●
App Discovery – In November 2021, Discord
announced that in 2022, users can explore and discover apps created by the
community. This only applies to verified apps and refers to bots that users
apply to their servers.
● Stage Channel – Discord has launched Stage Channels, which are available to community servers. They allow for a focused conversation between selected individuals for an audience of listeners. They are useful for interviews, book clubs, karaoke, etc. Nearly a million communities have run Stage since it launched in March 2021.