Sort your Discord settings
Discord was initially popular with gamers who would use the platform to communicate with others who shared in their interest. The platform has since evolved and brings together people with a variety of interests, including music or homework help.
Discord is a voice, video, and text chat app that allows users to talk and interact with online communities and friends. It's recommended that users of the platform are at least 13 years old.
There are open communities, where your child can interact with anyone on the platform. There area also private chats, known as 'servers'. A user would need to be invited to join a server.
Severs are organised by topic. Conversations are driven by the users and the topics they'd like to talk about.
What does it mean?
Like all platforms Discord has its own vocabulary. Here are some of the key phrases and words that might be helpful to know.
This is a chat or group.
Servers (chats) can be text channels or voice channels.
- In a text channel, users can post messages, upload files and share images.
- In a voice channel, users can connect through a voice or video call in real time and share screens.
Users can share their screen with other people who are in the server or have a direct message chat.
Discord's premium subscription service, which offers perks to subscribers.
Servers' special perks like custom emojis, better video and voice quality and the ability to set a custom invite link. These have to be purchased.
Family centre
The family centre allows you to see who your child has connected with recently through a dashboard or weekly email. This provides an overview of your child's Discord activity for the last seven days. You can't read any of the messages exchanged.
To access the family centre function, you will need to install the Discord app.
- Under setting click on 'family centre' then 'enable'.
- Your child will need to provide you with the generated QR code that can be found in their 'family center tab' under the 'connect with parent' option.
- You will need to scan the QR code into your app.
- Your child will then need to accept the invitation. This will give you both access to the family centre.
Discord safety centre
Discord's safety centre offers information and advice to parents and caregivers on how you can help keep your child safe online when they're using Discord.
This includes how to set up filters to ensure your child doesn't see or have access to content which isn't suitable for them.