Social networks sprung up during the early day of the internet, but the concept arguably really took off in 2004, when Facebook launched. The emergence of smartphones further accelerated the growth of social media, with new platforms popping up left and right.
Everyone has heard of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, but not everyone is aware of Discord. With several hundred million users, it's certainly a social network worth paying attention to. But what is it really about? More importantly, is it safe to use?
What Is Discord? How Does It Work?
Launched in 2015, Discord was designed as an instant communication platform for gamers. It quickly gained popularity in the gaming community, as it was much lighter and easier to use than other similar products. Since then, Discord has evolved into a versatile social network, becoming home to all kinds of communities (called "servers").
Today, Discord is available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. It also runs in web browsers, which means pretty much everyone can use it, regardless of their device and operating system. It is also free, but it does offer a subscription service that allows users to send larger files, use different emojis and stickers, and similar.
There are millions of communities on Discord, which is no wonder since everyone can create their own server within minutes. Whether you want to talk with fellow fans of your favorite sports team, discuss the latest developments in the world of politics, or chat about your favorite band—there's probably a server that fits your interests.
Servers can be public or private, and all have their own rules and moderators. So, in essence, Discord is a cross between Reddit and old school messengers like MSN Messenger. Plus, it has a lot of cool and modern features, allowing users to switch between text messaging, voice, and video chat as they please.
Is Discord Secure?
Social networks do not have a great reputation when it comes to security and privacy (to put it mildly). Being what it is, Discord is a lot safer and more private than, say, Facebook. But it's not without its flaws.
The Good: Automation, Moderation, Customization
When you first sign up with Discord, you need to set a password, and provide a valid email address. This barrier to entry, as insignificant as it may seem, is useful when it comes to cutting down spam. On top of that, Discord has automated systems that detect and remove inappropriate content, or anything that violates its guidelines.
As previously noted, all servers enforce their own rules, but it's important to point out that moderators have access to plenty of tools that make their jobs easier. There are also plenty of bots that moderators and admins can use, which certainly allows them to manage their communities more efficiently.
But not everything is up to community moderators and artificial intelligence. Discord also has a dedicated Trust & Safety team that takes care of issues related to harassment, bullying, cyber crime, and so on. However, with millions of people using Discord, the team is focused primarily on extremist content and non-consensual explicit material.
Discord also gives users a lot of control over their account. Meaning, you can block people from contacting you or sending you friend requests, and report them if you want to. You can also set up two-factor authentication, and enhance the privacy of your account in several ways (to do this, go to User Settings, and then navigate to Privacy & Safety).
The Bad: Bots, Scammers, Data Collection
As with any platform that hosts user-generated content, on Discord you are likely to encounter content you'd rather not see. This is inevitable, and not necessarily a huge issue, but it's worth noting that Discord is popular among children as well. It does require users to be at least 13 years old, but age is not really verified upon signup. This is certainly something parents should be aware of, since the app does not offer parental controls.
Similarly, with such a huge number of users, Discord is also home to scammers, spammers, and all kinds of cybercriminals. In any case, you should be very careful when opening links and files on Discord, even if they seem perfectly legitimate. Also, be mindful of bots and automated spam messages in your inbox—bad actors exploit Discord to distribute malware, engage in phishing attempts, and scam others.
Then there are also concerns about data privacy. Does Discord keep your data safe? According to its privacy policy, it does, but it also records "any content that you upload to the service." Discord actually modified its privacy policy in March 2023, which caused quite an uproar in the gaming world, with some wondering whether the app records their video and voice chats. As PC Gamer reported at the time, all Discord said in response was that it does not record user content "without their knowledge."
How to Stay Safe on Discord
When you learn about the potential dangers associated with Discord, it becomes much easier to figure out how to stay safe. With that said, here's a list of tips that will help you protect yourself.
- Use a strong password and set up two-factor authentication.
- Review and adjust your privacy settings.
- Be selective about the communities you join.
- Avoid sharing personal information and other sensitive details.
- Double-check all links and files before opening them.
- Don't accept friend requests from strangers, and block people who behave inappropriately.
- Avoid using third-party apps and extensions, stick to genuine Discord products.
- Report suspicious users to server moderators or the Discord support team.
- Keep your Discord client and app up to date.
Have Fun on Discord, but Exercise Caution
Discord is a really fun place, but it can be dangerous. Malware, phishing, scams, and cyberbullying are all too common on the platform, so it's imperative that you exercise caution and take the necessary steps to protect yourself.
If you're a parent, keep a close eye on who your child is interacting with, or invest in parenting control software. And if you're a gamer or just somebody looking to participate in discussions with like-minded people, make sure you learn how to get the most out of Discord.
