Discord has a set of rules to maintain a positive atmosphere for its users. These are actually known to us as Discord community guidelines. So, this platform would only be a fun place for you to interact with peers if you follow the rules.
In this guide, we’ll discuss in detail the areas covered in Discord community guidelines, so you may be aware of what’s not to do while using the platform. Also, we’ll guide you on how you can report violations on Discord and much more. So, keep reading this blog!
What are Discord community guidelines?
Discord is actually a messaging platform that was basically released in May 2015, allowing its users to freely interact with their friends.
You know, at the start, it was just considered a gaming platform allowing users to chat and make voice calls to their gaming partners. But now you can use it for private messaging, screensharing, and streaming, or also for collaborative projects, related work, or class.
However, the amazing thing about this social media platform is that it has set boundaries and rules to ensure the safety of its users. They actually call these rules and regulations as Discord community guidelines.
For instance, it doesn’t allow anyone to use rude language that may disrespect others. There are many other rules like this, which we’ll cover in detail in the next section.
Keep in mind that Discord has made these guidelines just for your safety. Don’t think that such rules can restrict your enjoyment. Honestly speaking, if you adhere to these rules, then this platform will become a trusted and safe environment to interact.
Key areas covered in the Discord community guidelines
Now, you know Discord community guidelines cover many important areas that help keep the platform safe for everyone. So, let’s dive deeper and understand how such rules and regulations would keep you safe on Discord.
Violence and Hate speech
First of all, we all know that Discord is mostly used by teens for gaming. So if they get exposed to violence and hate speech, then it would exploit their young minds and affect their overall development. That’s why Discord has strictly prohibited such action.
Spam and scams
Next, you might have heard of phishing scams! Well! Such scams are one of the most common issues on social media platforms. For instance, you may receive a message from an unknown person that Click here to get rewards. So, never make the mistake of clicking on it.
I’m restricting you because once you click on it, they instantly steal your sensitive data. Later on, they harass or threaten you to fulfill their demands; otherwise, they will leak your personal data.
That’s why to protect their users, Discord has automatic spam filters, reporting and blocking features, and many more.
Nudity and sexual content
Additionally, it has set rules that no one on the platform can share sexually explicit materials involving minors. Discord has shown an active role regarding explicit material, because most of its users are teens. So, they ensure that explicit material is marked as NSFW and accessible only to users up to 18.
Impersonation
You might have heard the word Impersonation, which means people use fake identities on the platform just to trick other people. Keep in mind that, as kindness matters in our real life, similarly, truthfulness matters in digital life. Thus, Discord has a strict rule against impersonation.
Copyright infringement
Moreover, if you are on Discord, then before sharing any post, you have to pause and think. For instance, whether you have personally created it or are just sharing others’ content. So, if you are sharing others’ content under your name without their consent, then it’s called copyright.
Discord platform would take it as a violation, and you would have to lose your account under copyright laws. That’s why it’s best to share content only if you have a skill.
How to report violations on Discord?
If you feel that someone is breaking the Discord community guidelines, please report it. Then, instead of panicking, calm down! You just need to report such violations, and then Discord will do something about that action, like banning the account or others. So, here I’m going to share step-by-step guidelines enabling you to report violations on Discord!
First of all, you have to open your Discord app and find the violation or inappropriate content that you want to report.
Next, tap and press the suspicious or inappropriate content for 2-3 seconds. After this, a pop-up menu will show.
Now, from the menu, you need to click the report button. After this, the Discord app asks you why you are reporting this content and gives you different reasoning options. So, pick the right reasoning, such as cyberbullying, spamming, or even harassment.
Lastly, just click the Submit the report option at the bottom in the red box.. That’s all! This will send the report to Discord’s safety team.
When the report button is missing
However, there is a possibility that you might not find the options to report the content! Well! There would be reasons behind this! But instead of explaining these reasons, I’m sharing with you the best alternative solution, allowing you to still report the violations.
If you want to know the alternative, then just follow the procedure mentioned below!
- Step 1. You have to visit Discord’s official support page to submit a request.
- Step 2. Here, you need to enter your email address. Then, give a description of why you are submitting this report. Here, you can share that explicit message link (you can grab it by right-clicking the message).
- Step 3. If applicable, attach the screenshot of the offensive message under the attachment section. After this, Click Submit.
Now, don’t think that there will be any action on your report. You know Discord’s 2023 Transparency Report states that over 55 million accounts were actioned for rule violations—so yes, your report does count.
So, don’t stop if you see violations on Discord, just speak up and keep yourself and kids safe on this platform.
Common Discord violations and their consequences
Hopefully, now you know about the Discord community guidelines. However, if you or your kids are using this platform, then it’s also important to understand what kind of violations most people commit on Discord. And then, in turn, what does this platform do to stop them? So, let’s dive in!
Common rule violations
We have already mentioned that hate speech, spam and scams, explicit content, copyright, etc., are all rule violations. However, just like other social media platforms, on Discord, harassment issues are mostly observed.
You will be surprised to know the results of the survey by Thorn in 2024. This report states that 1 out of 4 teens had encountered inappropriate content on the Internet.
However, be at ease, as Discord wouldn’t tolerate any kind of harassment of kids, that’s why this platform has made rules and regulations.
What happens if you break the rules?
So, if anyone on the Discord happens to break the rules for the first time, then Discord just gives a warning telling you what, right. It’s just like you are in the classroom and whispering with friends. So, your teacher may just give you a warning for the first time and ask you not to do this, right?
However, if you repeat the actions, then just like your teacher, the Discord platform would also take action, like temporarily suspending your account.
But keep in mind that if you keep doing all things and even make serious rule-breaking, like child exploitation, then be ready for strict punishment. For instance, you will lose your Discord account permanently.
Thus, after knowing such consequences of rule violations, you are now fully aware that Discord fulfills its commitment to keeping users safe.
Tips for staying safe on Discord
After knowing the Discord rules and regulations, I don’t think that it’s completely safe for teens. There are equal chances of getting exposed to explicit content and cyberbullying if you don’t take any precautionary measures.
So, to help you in this case, I’m going to share with you effective tips to help you stay safe on Discord.
Turn on safe mode
You know, Discord has a feature known as Safe Mode that keeps violence and adult content away from your child. So, if you want to activate Safe Mode, then go to the settings on your Discord app. Then, under the Privacy & Safety section, just tap “Keep Me Safe.”
Thus, now enabling this option, it would automatically start saniing DM’s from everyone in your Discord community. That’s amazing, right?
Choose only safe servers
Next, you know Discord has different servers, which we think of like gaming chat rooms, and each has its own rules. However, here you need to stay cautious!
Not all servers are safe for children. Some servers are poorly moderated and have no rules or regulations. So, always ensure that teens choose the server that has community rules and discussions centered around suitable content for children.
Know the role of moderators
While using a social media platform, you might have heard about the Moderators, right?. Do remember! Moderators are the people who basically monitor the whole community, like on Discord, ensuring that everyone is following the rules and regulations.
So, you have to educate your kids that before joining any servers on Discord, they have to check whether that server has an active or accessible moderator or not.
Well! You might be confused about how kids can check whether moderators of their choice servers are active or not. Don’t worry! To check this, kids can notice whether the members are greeted or if any hate speech is removed quickly or not.
Teach how to block and report users
Moreover, it is also equally important to teach your kids about the threats present when using social media platforms. So, in case of Discord, you can tell your kids gently that if you feel that someone is trying to harass you by sending mean comments, then they have to instantly talk to you. Also, they can report or block them.
Although the above-mentioned guidelines will prove effective in ensuring safe use of Discord. But being a parent, if you want full control over kids’ digital activities, then it’s best to install the FlashGet Kids parental control app. This app is specially designed for kids to keep them secure from potential online dangers.
For instance, owing to its screen mirroring feature, you can see live what kind of servers your kids have joined on the Discord platform. Moreover, you can set time limits on the Discord app. It’s essential because spending too much time on the Internet would increase the chances of getting exposed to harmful content.
Conclusion
In short, Discord community guidelines are designed just to ensure a safe and secure digital environment for all of its users. So, if anyone violates the rules repeatedly, then Discord takes action and may ban the account permanently.
However, if you, as a parent, want to ensure safe use of Discord, then using FlashGet Kids parental control is a wise step. This app keeps you updated about your kids’ Discord use with real-time alerts.
