The short answer
Both of you need Discord accounts. Your teen opens User Settings → Family Center and shares a QR code; you scan it from Family Center → My Family → Connect with Teen. Then review the activity feed and help your teen tighten the sensitive-content filter, friend requests and DM settings.
Step 1: Connect with Family Center
Family Center is mutual: both of you opt in, and either of you can disconnect.
- Teen opens Family Center. On your teen's Discord, go to User Settings → Family Center and choose Connect with Your Guardian to show a QR code or invite.
- Parent scans. On your Discord, open Family Center → My Family → Connect with Teen and scan the code.
- Confirm the connection. Both accounts confirm the link.
Step 2: Review activity
- Check the activity feed. See recently added friends, servers and group DMs joined, the names of users your teen messaged or called in the last 7 days, and counts of messages and calls.
- Turn on weekly emails. Opt in to a weekly summary email if you want one.
Tip: Family Center is view-only. Parents cannot read messages or limit which servers a teen joins.
Step 3: Set the sensitive-content filter
- Open the filter. On your teen's account, go to User Settings → Content & Social → Sensitive content filter.
- Choose filter levels. Set Mature Sexual Media and Graphic Media separately to Show, Blur, or Block.
- Keep Teen Safety Assist on. Teen Safety Assist is on by default for teens; leave it on.
Step 4: Tighten friend requests and DMs
- Limit friend requests. Choose who can send friend requests: Everyone, Friends of friends, or Server members.
- Control server DMs. Review the Allow DMs from server members toggle.
- Block accounts. Block any user your teen does not want contact from.
Tip: For teens, DMs from others default to Block and DMs from friends default to Blur; unblurring requires age verification.
What age is Discord OK for?
Discord's minimum age in the US is 13, and age-gated or NSFW servers are hidden from teens. Discord's age-assurance rollout is expected around September 2026.
Common Sense Media rates Discord for ages 13+. Talk with your teen about which servers they join, since Family Center cannot restrict them.
Go further
- Snapchat parental controls — Another teen-supervision setup.
- Instagram parental controls — Teen Accounts and supervision.
- Xbox parental controls — Chat and communication on console.
- Parental controls explained — What controls can and can't do.
Frequently asked questions
Can I read my teen's Discord messages?
No. Family Center shows names of people your teen messaged or called and message counts, not message content.
Can my child under 13 use Discord?
No. Discord does not allow accounts for children under 13.
Can I block servers with Family Center?
No. Family Center is view-only and cannot limit which servers your teen joins. Age-gated or NSFW servers are hidden from teens.
Can my teen disconnect Family Center?
Yes. Either the parent or the teen can disconnect.
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See the signsSources: Discord Support — Family Center for Parents and Guardians; Common Sense Media — Discord review.