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Discord to Require Face Scan or ID for Access to Adult Content

Discord to Require Face Scan or ID for Access to Adult Content

Author: admin | 10 Feb 2026

To provide all users aged 13 to 17 with additional safety features, Discord has introduced a new age-verification system. Starting in March, users will need to upload a valid government-issued ID to access adult content. This update follows similar measures previously introduced in the UK and Australia to comply with regional regulations.

The system automatically assigns users to environments that match their age requirements while it blocks access to particular channels and content until users complete verification. The system limits direct messages from users who are not known contacts until the process ends, which helps minimize unwanted communication. Verified adults, however, can still access age-restricted areas once their information is confirmed.

The Head of Product Policy at Discord, Savannah Badalich, explained that the organization created these protections to establish safer online spaces for minor users while permitting adult access in suitable situations. The company has confirmed that all uploaded identification documents will be deleted once verification is complete, and no personal information will be stored beyond this process.

The current step belongs to a wider initiative that aims to improve online protection for adolescents because governments and regulatory bodies across the world show increasing interest in this matter. Social platforms must prove their ability to protect children during online activities because companies have started to modify their systems in accordance with these requirements.

Other platforms have introduced similar procedures to align with regulations and best practices for protecting younger audiences. These measures aim to reduce exposure to inappropriate material while giving families and users greater confidence in the platform. Discord’s initiative represents one of the latest steps in ongoing efforts to create a safer environment for teens without restricting the experience for adults who have verified their age.

Global Initiatives on Age Verification and Teen Safety

YouTube, Roblox, and other online services implemented age-verification systems that require users to complete facial recognition tests or age-estimation assessments in order to protect children and create safer online environments. The 2024 launch of new age-verification systems by TikTok and Facebook aimed to limit user access to dangerous materials.

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