DISCORD
MINIMUM AGE: 13+
WHAT IS IT? Discord is a communication platform that allows users to create servers or join communities to chat via text, voice, and video. It’s popular among gamers, but also widely used for general discussions and niche communities. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with caution. Most parents and carers do not check this app because it is associated with gaming. However, some children are using Discord to share nude and semi-nude images for that reason. Download and share our poster. 🔞Exposure to Inappropriate Content Although Discord has community guidelines and content filters, users may encounter explicit or inappropriate material, especially in unmoderated servers. 💬Direct Messaging Discord allows direct messaging (DM) between users, which opens up risks for inappropriate contact. Strangers can message your child if settings aren’t adjusted to block DMs from non-friends. 🧑💻 Online Predators and Grooming On many chat platforms, users can lie about their age or true identity – and Discord is no exception. Predators have attempted to abuse the platform by using it to contact and communicate with underage users – by initially chatting with a child on an age-appropriate channel, for example. While Discord has improved its safety settings, some users will still try to bypass them for malicious reasons. 📱 Cyberbullying and Harassment Discord’s easy accessibility and connectivity, unfortunately, makes it an ideal place for cyberbullying to occur – especially as audio and video streams disappear once they’ve ended, meaning that bullying could take place without leaving any evidence. Closed groups can also be created, giving young people the opportunity to exclude their peers or send cruel messages without adult oversight. 🚨Criminal Activity Instances of criminal activity such as grooming, hate speech, harassment, exploitative content, doxxing, and extremist or violent material have been discovered on Discord servers. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Discord accounts are tied to usernames and may include profile pictures, bios, and linked social media. Without proper privacy settings, children may share more personal information than intended. ❌ No Live GPS Tracking Discord does not share your real-time GPS location with friends, servers, or via voice/video calls. It won’t broadcast where you are. ✅ Built‑in Nearby Scan Discord does offer a “Nearby Friends” feature on mobile, which uses Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi and ultrasonic audio to let users connect with others nearby — but only when both parties are on the Nearby Friends screen and give permission ❌ No Live Location FeatureGrok does not offer real-time GPS location sharing by default. It doesn’t ask for or track a user’s physical location through the app itself. ⚠️ But it can use location-based info Grok can answer location-based queries like “what’s near me?” and you can ask for directions, local business info, or nearby services based on contextual location data. |
SAFETY TIPS:
Stay connected with your teen through discord's FAMILY CENTER. 📲Understand the app: Familiarise yourself with Discord's features and how they work. Knowing how the app works will help you guide your child effectively. 👨👧Parental supervision: Check their interactions and adjust privacy settings accordingly. Try to stay up-to-date on Internet trends and best practices. 📢Underage Accounts: Discord might have an age restriction but it lacks a proper age verification process. Therefore, there’s little stopping users from faking their dates of birth or creating bogus profiles and targetting children and young people. 👥Manage friend requests: Teach your child only to accept friend requests from people they know in real life. 📷 Cover the Webcam When Not in Use Physically cover your camera when you're not ready to go live. Always be mindful of what’s visible in your background—it can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trust Your Instincts If something feels uncomfortable, it is uncomfortable. Leave the chat immediately and don’t engage with users who seem suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate. 🖥️ Place Devices in Shared Spaces Keep internet-connected devices in living rooms or kitchens, not bedrooms. This makes risky behavior less likely and easier to notice. 🙋♀️Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. 🚨 Know the Signs of Trouble Watch for behaviour changes—like anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These can signal something inappropriate happened online. 💬Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. 
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