Discord Dangers for Kids - What Parents Need To Know
- info732707
- Feb 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 5
What is Discord?
Discord is a popular app that's like a combination of instant messaging, chat rooms, and video conferencing. It's a place where kids can connect with their friends and communities, especially those who share similar interests.
Here's why your kids might be drawn to Discord:
Gaming Community: Discord is a huge hit among gamers. They use it to coordinate gameplay, share tips, and chat with other players. It's like having a virtual hangout space for their favourite games.
Shared Interests: There are Discord servers for almost everything. From anime and music to specific hobbies and fandoms, your kids can find communities where they can connect with others who share their passions.
Voice Chat: Discord allows for voice chat, which makes it feel more personal and interactive. Kids can have real-time conversations with their friends, just like they would in person.
Group Hangouts: Discord is a great way for kids to stay connected with their friends, especially if they're not able to see each other in person. It's a virtual space where they can hang out, share jokes, and have fun together.
While Discord can be a great way for kids to connect with friends and explore their interests, it's important to be aware of the potential risks and to have open conversations with your child about online safety.
How Discord Works:
Discord operates through servers, which are like online communities dedicated to specific themes or topics. Think of it as a digital message board where people with shared interests can gather and chat. Anyone can create a server and invite others to join.
There are two main types of servers:
Text servers: These allow users to share text messages and images.
Voice servers: These are like group voice chats where anyone can join and listen to the conversation in real-time. Most voice servers also have a text chat function.
Servers can be public or private, allowing for open access or invite-only communities.
What Young People Say:
Young people have described Discord as a positive platform for meeting new people, exploring romantic connections, and connecting with others who share their interests.
However, they have also reported experiencing abuse, harassment, and exposure to inappropriate content on the platform.
Important Note: Discord has an age rating of 13+. Parents should be aware of the potential risks associated with this platform and take steps to ensure their children's safety online.
Key Dangers of Discord for Children
Cyberbullying:
Cyberbullying is a significant concern on platforms like Discord. According to the NSPCC, children can experience abuse or bullying online, as some individuals may behave differently in digital spaces than they would in person. This can lead to emotional distress and anxiety for young users.
Exposure to Inappropriate Content:
Discord is primarily user-generated, meaning that the content can vary widely in appropriateness. The Common Sense Media report highlights that children may encounter graphic language, images, and discussions that are not suitable for their age. This exposure can have lasting effects on their mental and emotional well-being.
Privacy Risks:
Children may inadvertently share personal information, such as their location or school, which can lead to dangerous situations. The Greenlight organization emphasizes the importance of teaching children about the risks of sharing personal details online, as it can attract unwanted attention from predators.
Contact with Strangers:
Discord allows users to connect with others from around the world, which can be a double-edged sword. While it can foster friendships, it also opens the door to potential interactions with strangers who may have harmful intentions. The CNN Business article on the dark side of Discord warns that age verification is not foolproof, allowing underage users to access the platform.
Addiction and Distraction:
The engaging nature of Discord can lead to excessive screen time, impacting children's academic performance and social skills. Parents should be mindful of how much time their children spend on the platform and encourage a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
What Settings Can I Change on Discord to Help Keep My Child Safe?
Discord offers several safety features designed to help protect users, especially young ones. Here's a breakdown of the key settings and how to use them:
1. Automatic Direct Message Scanning:
Discord's "Keep me safe" feature automatically scans direct messages (DMs) for content that violates its community guidelines. This helps prevent users from receiving inappropriate or harmful messages.
How to Enable:
Go to User Settings
Select Privacy & Safety
Choose Safe Direct Messaging
Toggle Keep me safe to ON.
Important Note: This feature only scans for inappropriate media content, not text-based messages.
2. Managing Private Messages:
You can control who can send your child direct messages. By default, users on the same server can send DMs.
How to Disable:
Go to User Settings
Select Privacy & Safety
Choose Server Privacy Default
Toggle Allow direct messages from server members to OFF.
3. Managing Friend Requests:
You can also manage who can send friend requests to your child. Being "Friends" on Discord allows users to communicate outside of servers.
How to Manage:
Go to User Settings
Select Privacy & Safety
Choose Who Can Add You As A Friend
You have three options:
Everyone: Anyone on Discord can send a friend request.
Friends of Friends: Only users who have mutual friends with your child can send a request.
Server Members: Only users on the same server as your child can send a request.
You can deselect all options to prevent any friend requests. However, this doesn't stop your child from sending friend requests.
Important Tip: Talk to your child about the importance of not accepting friend requests from users they don't know.
Keeping Your Child Safe on Discord: Essential Tips For Parents
1. Ask them who they are talking to:
Regularly talk to your child about who they're interacting with online. Discuss the apps they use and set clear boundaries about who they can communicate with and when.
2. Privacy is paramount:
Emphasize the importance of not sharing personal information on Discord, even with people they know offline. This includes their full name, address, phone number, and any other details that could compromise their safety.
3. Tell them they can talk to you
Let your child know that they can always come to you if they encounter inappropriate content online. Reassure them that they can also reach out to a trusted adult, if they prefer. The most important thing is that they know they have support if they need it.
4. Exploring other options:
If your child enjoys online communication, consider exploring other chat platforms that offer more robust safety settings or parental controls. This can provide a more secure environment for them to connect with friends.
Remember, open communication and ongoing guidance are crucial for ensuring your child's safety online.
Final Thoughts
While Discord can be a valuable tool for communication and community building, it is essential for parents to remain vigilant about the potential dangers it poses to children. Whenever your child wants to use a free platform always ask yourself - what are they really getting out of this? Do the pros outweigh the cons?
Remember ALL apps have a cost - especially the free ones....
If you would like bespoke guidance on how to manage Discord for your child, book your free consultation below now
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