However, there’s always a risk when it comes to sites and apps with open chat. With the right privacy settings and monitoring, it’s easy to use Discord safely. Discord doesn’t have an in-app way to search for servers unless you’ve already joined them, so users have to be invited directly or else find out about them from other sources, like friends or social media.

Servers are broken up into text channels and voice channels, and some have bots (computer programs that mimic human interaction) that do automatic moderation, welcoming, and community management. There are private servers that require an invitation to join as well as public servers that anyone can take part in. Anyone on the app can create a server upon sign-up. Servers are the main communities on Discord, often focused on a single game or topic. Discord also has “NSFW” channels and servers that require users to be 18 or older to join (but it’s easy to click through the verification). Because it’s all user-generated, there’s plenty of inappropriate content, like swearing and graphic language and images (though it’s entirely possible to belong to a group that forbids these). Common Sense Media also recommends Discord users be at least 13 due to its open chat. It can also be an easy-to-use group-chatting tool for friends.ĭiscord requires that users be at least 13 years old, although they do not verify users’ age upon sign-up. It has broadened from gamers-only to a social networking site for communities of all types, including those with non-gaming interests like anime, TV series, music, and more. Some games, like Fortnite and PUBG, have official verified Discords for fans to talk about the game. Or you can swap tips and advice with other players in game-specific servers (similar to online forums). It can be used to talk to other players while playing games. In our continuing series of posts about e-safety, we’ve put together a guide on Discord.ĭiscord is a voice and text chat app that’s popular with gamers.

Whats discord used for