Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Popular communication platform Discord is preparing to roll out a mandatory age verification policy globally starting in March 2026.
This new policy is intended to improve the safety of teen users and meet increasingly stringent legislative requirements worldwide.
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All accounts, both newly created and existing, will be automatically set to “teen-by-default.”
This default setting will restrict access to certain features and mature content until users successfully verify their age.
The implementation of this policy is expected to create a more responsible digital ecosystem, in line with global efforts to protect minors from inappropriate content.
Discord now wants you to upload your ID or submit a video scan of your face to verify your age: pic.twitter.com/iUYYbNOuay
— IGN (@IGN) February 10, 2026
Discord Age Verification: Schedule and Methods
The global rollout of Discord's age verification policy will begin in early March 2026.
Users have two primary methods for verifying their age: facial scanning or ID documents.
The first method is facial scanning via a video selfie, where Discord states that the facial age estimation process takes place entirely on the user's device and the data never leaves the device.
The second method is government ID scanning, where users can upload official identification documents.
ID documents submitted to Discord's vendor partners will be quickly deleted, often immediately after age confirmation.
Discord uses k-ID as one of its third-party age verification providers to ensure legitimacy.
Additionally, Discord will implement an age inference model, a new system that runs in the background to help determine whether an account belongs to an adult without always requiring direct age verification from the user.
Minimum Age Requirement and Discord Safety Initiatives
The general minimum age requirement for accessing Discord is 13 years old, but it's important to note that there are different minimum age requirements for certain countries.
For example, South Korea has an age requirement of 14+, while Vietnam has a minimum age requirement of 15+.
In Europe, several countries, such as Austria, Cyprus, Italy, Lithuania, and Spain, have set a minimum age of 14.
Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia have a 15-year age limit, while Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Aruba, the Caribbean Netherlands, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten have a 16-year age limit.
The Czech Republic and France have a 15-year age limit, while Germany has a 16-year age limit.
As part of its commitment to teen safety, Discord is also recruiting members for its Teen Council, which consists of 10 to 12 teens aged 13 to 17.
This “teen-by-default” policy builds on Discord's existing safety architecture, including features like Ignore, Family Center, Teen Safety Assist, Warning System, and Guardian's Guide.
Discord Features Restricted Without Age Verification
Discord user accounts that have not verified their age as an adult will face a number of restrictions on key features.
These restrictions are designed to protect younger users from age-inappropriate content and interactions, in line with the primary goal of this new policy. Users will notice significant changes in their experience on the platform.
Some of the features that will be restricted include:
- Age-Restricted Channels and Servers: Access to channels and servers set to adult will be automatically blocked.
- Sensitive Content: Discord's content filter will be active, blurring images deemed overly sensitive or graphic. Users must verify their age to disable this filter or view unblurred content.
- Message Requests: Direct messages from unknown individuals will be redirected to a separate inbox, reducing the potential for unwanted interactions.
- Speaking in Stage Channels: Accounts that have not been age-verified will not be able to speak in Stage channels, limiting participation in public events.
- Friend Request Warnings: Users will see a warning when receiving a friend request from an unknown individual, providing an additional layer of security.