Is Discord Safe for Your Child?

Among all the social media and communication platforms, Discord has emerged as one of the more popular apps.

Millions of daily users use the platform mainly to communicate with others while playing games or studying.

It’s a fact that Discord is also popular among children and you might be wondering whether “Is Discord Safe for my child?”.

So, in this article, we’ll discuss whether Discord is safe for your child.

Safety Measures on Discord

Discord is aware that many people use the platform. That’s why the platform’s developers have created a set of safety measures.

Firstly, Discord lets your children verify their accounts. It also offers Two-Factor Authentication, which makes your children’s account safer.

Moreover, Discord has an option that lets users filter explicit images and block inappropriate users. Lastly, the platform allows your children to report users that bother them. So, it seems that the app is quite safe.

Potential Risks on Discord

Remember one sentence ago when I said that Discord is safe? Well, there still are many dangers roaming a platform.

Firstly, your children can encounter online predators. Studies show that about 20% of children have come across an online predator.

Furthermore, your little ones can be exposed to inappropriate content and scammer attacks, which are dangerous for your financial status.

Lastly, your children can encounter cyberbullies. Studies show that about 46% of children have been bullied online. That’s alarming!

Parental Control Options on Discord

Discord doesn’t exactly have a parental control option. But don’t rush and panic. The app allows parents a lot of insight.

You can always manually check who your children message and who messages them. You can also use third-party parental control software, such as Qustodio, mSpy, Norton Family, and others.

With these apps, you can remotely see who your children contact, have an overview of how much time they spend on the app, and limit screen time.

Another way to monitor your children on this platform is by logging into their accounts from your device. That’s old-school parental control software.

Managing Privacy Settings on Discord

Many built-in features create a safe environment for children. Follow the next few steps to access these features:

• Select the three lines in the upper left corner;
• Select the profile icon in the lower right corner;
• Select Privacy & Safety;
• Turn on Filter all direct messages;
• Don’t allow direct messages from server members;
• Don’t enable message requests from server members you may not know;

Recognizing Warning Signs on Discord

Children are rather vulnerable. So, you’ll easily notice if someone bothers them. Something’s wrong if you notice the following signs in your children:

• Isolation;
• Lower social interactions;
• Lower academic performance;
• Depression;
• Panic attacks;

But how do these signs have a link with Discord? Well, if your children suddenly stop using the platform, it might just be the cause of your children’s problems.

Promoting Responsible Discord Usage

Just as you encourage your children to be positive and emphatic in real life, teach them to be responsible online too.

Teach your children to be friendly, polite, and avoid any type of argument. Conflict isn’t the solution to problems.

You can motivate your little ones to be responsible by giving them rewards, such as sweets (but not too much).

Establishing Open Communication

A crucial thing in every family is parent-child communication. Well, you need to build this trusty relationship from a young age.

Play and talk with your children from their toddler phase. You can transfer that trust when they’re teens as well.

Never reprimand your children too much. Instead, listen to what they say and come up with solutions together.

Educating Your Child about Online Safety

Another important step you must take is educating your children about online safety and protection from online dangers.

Tell your children to avoid strangers online, never share personal information, and block inappropriate users.

Conclusion

As we already said, Discord is a platform used by millions of people daily. And, with its popularity come its dangers.

So, explore the platform’s privacy and safety settings and adjust them to your liking. After all, keeping your children safe is a must.

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