DISCORD |
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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. |
SAFETY TIPS:
STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR TEEN THROUGH DISCORD'S FAMILY CENTER. SAFETY TIPS: Stay connected with your teen through discord's FAMILY CENTER. Discord's Family Center is an optional tool that allows teens to keep their parents informed about their Discord activity while respecting their independence. Just like parents know about their teens' friends and clubs at school, Family Center helps parents learn more about their teens' Discord connections. Family Center has two main features: an activity dashboard accessible in Discord and a weekly email summary of your teen's activity. To get started, both you and your teen need to set up the Family Center using the official Discord app. Once your teen accepts your connection request, the Family Center will display their Discord activity from the past seven days. It shows the number of messages or calls they've made, new friends added, and active server participation. Discord has a series of safety settings enabling users to choose who can direct message them or send them friend requests. In the privacy and safety settings, Discord users can enable filters to screen direct messages for inappropriate content. While Discord automatically flags inappropriate images, it does not do the same for text messages. 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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