Discord will require age verification starting March 2026, using face scans or ID to access age-restricted content. Unverified users get teen-default protections.
Discord will require age verification starting March 2026 [Photo: X]
Discord, a major communication platform used by millions of gamers and online communities, has announced a global rollout of age-verification measures that will begin in March 2026. The update aims to make the platform safer for younger users, but it will also require many adults to prove their age before accessing certain features.
Under the new policy, users who do not verify their age will be placed into a “teen-by-default experience,” with restrictions on content and features until they confirm they are adults.
Discord will start rolling out global age-verification measures in March, requiring users to confirm their age to access age-restricted channels, servers, and features. Those who don’t verify will be placed into a “teen-appropriate experience,” limiting exposure to sensitive content.
The phased rollout builds on systems already introduced in the UK and Australia and aims to provide consistent protections worldwide. Users can verify via ID or facial age estimation using video selfies that remain on their devices.
“Rolling out teen-by-default settings globally builds on Discord’s existing safety architecture, giving teens strong protections while allowing verified adults flexibility,” said Savannah Badalich, Discord’s head of product policy.
Discord says the new system is part of its broader effort to protect teens and create a safer online environment. The company tested similar measures in the United Kingdom and Australia, where local laws required age checks. Now, Discord is extending the approach to all users globally.
Savannah Badalich, Discord’s head of product policy, said the teen-by-default settings will give younger users “strong protections while allowing verified adults flexibility.”
The change joins broader industry trends in online safety. Other platforms, including Roblox and YouTube, have also adopted age-related checks to help shield minors from inappropriate content and contact.
Starting in March, all Discord accounts — new and existing — will default to restrictions unless users verify their age. Unverified accounts will be limited in several key ways:
In certain cases, users might need to complete more than one verification step if the system requires additional information to assign an age group.
Under the new policy, users who have not verified their age will experience stricter default settings:
These changes aim to make Discord safer for users under the age of 18, particularly by reducing their exposure to adult content and protecting them from unsolicited interactions.
Discord says it has built privacy protections into the age-verification process. For example:
Despite these safeguards, some users and privacy advocates have expressed concern about the mandatory collection of sensitive data and how securely it will be handled, especially following past security incidents involving third-party vendors.
Public reaction to the change has been mixed. Some users and child safety advocates welcome the new measures as a step toward safer social platforms for teens. Others worry that the data collection involved in age verification — including facial scans and ID uploads — could raise privacy risks or discourage users from engaging fully on the platform.
Digital rights groups have previously criticised age-verification mandates, warning that they could lead to sensitive data leaks and inadvertently expose personal information if not managed carefully.
The phased global rollout of the age verification requirements is set to begin in early March 2026, affecting users worldwide. Users who do not complete verification by then will start seeing restrictions on access to age-restricted content and other features.
Discord is expected to continue evolving and adding more verification options over time to improve flexibility and accessibility for users.
