Discord Rolls Out Age Checks Globally
More than 90% of users will be sorted automatically into age groups, with extra safety settings for teenagers, as the rollout began on September 22
Discord has started a global rollout of age checks that place users into age groups, with extra safety settings for teenagers. The rollout, which began on September 22, will take several days to complete.
More than 90% of users will be sorted automatically and will not need to prove their age. This is made possible by a model that looks at account signals, such as how old the account is, which servers it joins, and how active it is.
The model does not read messages, calls, or other content. For users who need to confirm their age, various methods are available, including a credit card check, age-range sharing from Apple’s App Store or Google Play, and a Google Wallet ID.
Teen accounts will have additional safety features, including messages from non-friends going to a separate requests inbox, age-restricted servers and channels blocked, and sensitive images blurred.
The age estimation model is not being used in the UK and Australia, where Discord already runs separate systems to meet local rules. Discord first announced global teen-by-default settings in February, with a rollout planned for March, but later delayed the launch to the second half of 2026.
## Why it matters The rollout of age checks is a significant step towards enhancing user safety, particularly for teenagers. By sorting users into age groups and implementing extra safety settings, Discord aims to create a more secure environment for its users. The fact that more than 90% of users will be sorted automatically and that the model does not read messages or other content, highlights the company's efforts to balance safety with user privacy.
