
Here's all you need to know about the social media platform Discord and things to take note of to keep your kids safe if they are using it.
If you’ve ever stumbled across your kid talking to someone online at the computer using an unfamiliar-looking platform and wondered what they’re up to, they’re most likely using Discord to chat with friends online. But what is Discord exactly? Is it safe for kids, and what age would be appropriate for them to start using it? If you’re plagued by such questions, don’t worry – here’s a comprehensive guide on the pros and cons of Discord.
What is Discord?
Features and usage

Discord is a voice, video, and text app – think Skype but with a lot more features. Users can join large established communities or create their own private server for them and their friends to hang out in. You are able to video call, share your screens to watch shows together, discuss topics of interest with people, and make new friends. Like most social media platforms, users can choose to remain anonymous by picking a display name and picture that doesn’t reveal your real identity – this is actually preferred for public profiles like Discord where anyone can look you up as long as they are in the same community or know your username.
While most gamers use Discord as their primary communication platform, it isn’t exclusively for gaming. It can be simply used as a platform to hang out with friends or even family over the Internet. The connection is definitely a lot smoother compared to other video calling platforms like Zoom or Skype. To have full access to certain features like high-resolution screen sharing or sharing of large files you will have to upgrade to Discord Nitro, a paid subscription. But all basic features are free to use, all you have to do is make an account and install the app on your phone or computer.
The pros of using Discord

Setting up play dates can get tiring, especially if you have to be the chaperone. If you’re looking for a low-effort play date that the kids can arrange themselves all from the comfort of home, use Discord – they’ll be able to play games or hang out and watch a movie with their friends online through the Discord app. If you prefer to keep an eye on what they’re up to, you can always make them use the computer or phone in a common space that you can monitor.
Coming from someone who’s had success in this, the anonymity of Discord can actually be beneficial especially if your kid has had trouble making friends – it might give them more confidence to speak if they’re behind a screen. Of course, you can’t hide behind a screen when speaking to people in real life, but this may be the first step that could give shy kids the confidence to speak to their peers face to face.

Discord has also been used to create a safe space and place to reach out for support. In research done by The Sunday Times, many youths have found support for their mental health through several Discord servers set up like the one by social enterprise It All Starts Hear SG. Founded by psychologist Dr Ang Hernping, she mentions how anonymity made it easier for people to open up and become more vulnerable. It also made them more comfortable with seeking help through proper channels.
The cons of using Discord

Like most other social media platforms, anonymity has a lot of downsides as well. Kids, especially, are at risk of meeting shady characters on public Discord servers and are more susceptible to online scams. While most servers are heavily moderated, there’s still a risk that they may be targeted via Direct Messaging aka DMs.
Most users are also in the older demographic, meaning that conversations in public servers could be littered with unsavoury words and content that are not for younger kids to hear or read. While Discord guidelines state that you must be 13 or older to make an account, it is also quite easy to fake your age (younger parents might be guilty of this when Instagram or Twitter first came out!). There are no ways to verify age, so your kids under 13 could easily have an account if their friends told them about Discord or if they stumbled across it themselves.
“Should I stop my kids from using Discord?”

So now that you know how Discord works, the next step is to decide if your kid is ready to take on the challenges and dangers that come with it. You could have a talk with them and compromise by letting them use it only under your supervision or only be allowed to join private servers with their ‘IRL’ friends. However, if you still feel uneasy, it might be helpful to educate them about the dangers and tell them to wait until they’re a little bit older.
Something else you could do is make an account yourself! Getting them involved and showing interest is also a good way to get them to open up to you about what they’re doing, especially when you ask them to teach you how it works. This way, you can also have a reason to add them as a friend and help them out if they ever get into any trouble.
As a former kid myself, here’s my personal experience: don’t ban them from using it without explaining the reason why. This usually results in the child finding a workaround or sneakily using it without the parents knowing (don’t ask how I know this). Giving them a proper explanation and emphasising the potential risks usually works, but some kids might be a bit stubborn since they’ll feel left out if the rest of their friends are using it. In that case, finding a compromise is the best outcome if possible.
Impress your kids and keep them safe with your new-found knowledge!