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Why do parents want to monitor Discord of their children?
According to a survey conducted by Common Sense Media in 2019, approximately 47% of US teenagers aged 13-17 reported using Discord, while 25% of them used the app weekly. It’s worth noting that the popularity of Discord among teens has likely increased since then as the platform has continued to gain more users and expand its features. And that’s probably why more and more parents want to monitor Discord of their children.
Discord is a communication platform that has gained popularity, particularly among gamers. It allows gamers to keep up-to-date on the latest gaming news and chat with each other in real-time, which can aid in coordination during gameplay. However, due to the anonymous nature of the platform, inappropriate content has also proliferated.
Perhaps you’ve heard your children talk about how enjoyable it is or seen information online and want to learn more. It’s not difficult to discover that open chat apps like Discord can pose risks for kids.
To mitigate these risks, it’s best to have your kids accept friend requests only and participate in private servers with people they know on Discord. However, it can be challenging to enforce these rules. The most effective way to ensure your kids’ online safety is to utilize privacy settings and monitor their app usage. This article provides a brief overview of setting up Discord parental controls and how you can use third-party spy apps to monitor your children’s activity on Discord.
How old can you be to use Discord?
Discord’s terms of service state that users must be a minimum of 13 years old to use the platform. If you are under 13, you are not permitted to use Discord. Discord states that this age limit is in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a US federal law that mandates websites and online services to obtain parental consent prior to collecting personal information from children under the age of 13.
What are the potential dangers of Discord?
Discord is a fantastic communication platform that has gained immense popularity in recent years. However, like any other online platform, there are potential dangers that come with it. Here are some of the potential risks associated with Discord.
Firstly, there is the danger of cyberbullying. Discord is a place where people from all over the world can connect and communicate with each other. Regrettably, this also implies that there are people who exploit the platform to intimidate and torment others. It is important to be vigilant and report any instances of cyberbullying to the appropriate authorities.
Secondly, there is the risk of encountering inappropriate content. Discord is an open platform, which means that anyone can create a server and post content on it. While most servers are safe and appropriate, there is always a chance of encountering content that is not suitable for all ages. It is crucial to be cautious when joining new servers and to report any inappropriate content to the server moderators.
Thirdly, there is the danger of phishing scams. Phishing scams are common on all online platforms, and Discord is no exception. Users may receive messages or links that appear to be from a legitimate source but are actually designed to steal personal information. It is important to be cautious and only click on links from trusted sources.
Lastly, there is the risk of hacking. While Discord has robust security measures in place, there is always a chance of hackers gaining access to user accounts. It is crucial to use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication to protect your account from unauthorized access.
How to set up parental controls to monitor Discord
Although Discord has a safety team that reviews reported content and takes action against users who violate the terms of service, there is no built-in parental control system. Nonetheless, you can take certain measures to set up parental controls for Discord. These features include setting up filters to block certain content, direct messages, friend requests, and profile discovery for teen accounts.
Here are a few tips on how to set up Discord parental controls, which can help keep your children safe while using the app.
- Block inappropriate content
Discord has a filter that detects and removes explicit or inappropriate content. To activate it, click on Settings, select Privacy and Safety, and choose the Keep me safe option.
- Block unwanted communication
You can turn off the Allow direct messages from Server Privacy default option in User Settings under Privacy & Safety.
Note: This setting only applies when joining new servers and does not affect existing servers.
- Block unwanted friend requests
You can choose who can add you as a friend on Discord. To do this, go to User Settings, click on Privacy & Safety, and turn off the Everyone and Server members options under the “Who Can Add You As A Friend” section.
Inconveniences:
- You will need to get your children’s accounts in order to make the above settings prepared for parental control.
- Children can change the settings at any time, causing the parental controls to fail.
- Children’s autonomous decisions are interfered with, which tends to break the trust between parents and children.
Therefore, parents can try other ways to monitor Discord, and we feel that the spy app is the best way to do Discord monitoring.
Spy app is the best alternative way to monitor Discord
Spy apps have become increasingly popular among parents who are concerned about their children’s online safety. These apps offer a range of benefits that can help parents monitor their children’s online activities and ensure that they are not exposed to any harmful content.
Pay attention to their children’s internet usage.
With these apps, parents can monitor their children’s browsing history, social media activity, and even their text messages. This can help parents identify any potential risks or threats and take appropriate action to protect their children.
Detect any bullying or harassment.
By monitoring their children’s social media activity, parents can identify any negative interactions or hurtful comments and intervene before the situation escalates.
Not accessing any inappropriate content online.
With these apps, parents can block certain websites or applications that they deem inappropriate for their children. This can help prevent children from being exposed to explicit content or online predators.
Peace of mind.
With the increasing prevalence of cyberbullying and other online threats, parents need to stay vigilant and take proactive measures to keep their children safe.
How to monitor Discord on iOS/Android with the spy app?
PandaSpy
PandaSpy is a spy app that allows parents to monitor their children’s online activity on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. The app offers a range of features that enable parents to track their children’s location, monitor their calls and messages, view their photos and videos, and even track their social media activity.
PandaSpy is compatible with Android and any iOS devices and can be installed on multiple devices with a single subscription. Best of all, it totally runs in stealth mode. The app is easy to use and offers a user-friendly dashboard that allows parents to view their children’s activity in real-time.
How to use PandaSpy to monitor children’s online activity undetectable:
- Purchase a subscription to PandaSpy and create an account.
- Install the PandaSpy app on your child’s Android or iOS device.
- Follow the instructions in the app to connect your child’s device to your PandaSpy account.
- In the PandaSpy dashboard, you can view your children’s online activity without their knowing, including messages, call logs, and media files(photos and videos).
MMGuardian
MMGuardian is a parental control app that allows parents to monitor and manage their children’s online activity on their smartphone or tablet. In addition to the monitoring function, MMGuardian also provides features to manage the time and content of the devices used by children. So naturally, your children will also know that they are being restricted from parental control.
Here are the steps to use MMGuardian to monitor Discord:
- Download and install the MMGuardian app on your child’s device and create an account.
- In the MMGuardian app, go to the “Apps” section and select Discord.
- Turn on the “Monitor” option for Discord.
- You can also set up additional controls, such as blocking or limiting access to Discord, setting time limits, and monitoring messages and calls.
- Once you have set up the controls, you can view your children’s Discord activity in the MMGuardian web portal or app.
Bark
Bark is also a parental control app that allows parents to spy on their children. The app also provides detailed reports and insights into their children’s online activity, including trends and patterns over time.
With Bark, parents can set up custom alerts and notifications for their children’s online activity, block or restrict access to certain apps and websites, and even monitor their children’s location.
To use Bark to monitor Discord on Android and iOS devices, follow these steps:
- Sign up for a Bark account and create a profile for your child.
- Install the Bark for Kids app on your children’s Android or iOS device.
- Follow the instructions in the app to connect your child’s device to your Bark account.
- In the Bark dashboard, go to the “Platforms” section and select Discord.
- Follow the prompts to grant Bark access to monitor Discord on your child’s device.
- Bark will then start monitoring your child’s Discord activity, including messages, images, and videos.
- You will receive alerts and notifications from Bark if any concerning content or potential risks are detected on Discord.
Note: Bark is capable of monitoring direct messages, group messages, and servers on Discord (text chats only) when monitoring Android devices. Moreover, you can block Discord on any devices your children use, including Android, iOS, Amazon Fire, and computers.
Qustodio
Qustodio offers features that enable parents to set up screen time limits, filter inappropriate content, monitor social media activity, and track their children’s location. Parents can set up schedules for their children’s device usage, block or restrict access to certain apps and websites, and even monitor their children’s search history and online activity in real-time.
It’s natural for your children to become aware that they are being restricted by parental control measures.
To use Qustodio to monitor Discord on Android and iOS devices, follow these steps:
- Sign up for a Qustodio account and create a profile for your children.
- Install the Qustodio app on your children’s Android or iOS device.
- Follow the instructions in the app to connect your children’s devices to your Qustodio account.
- In the Qustodio dashboard, go to the “Rules” section and select “Social Networks”.
- Turn on the “Discord” option.
- You can also set up additional controls, such as blocking or limiting access to Discord, setting time limits, and monitoring messages and calls.
- Once you have set up the controls, you can view your children’s Discord activity in the Qustodio dashboard.
FAQs
Discord has specific guidelines around NSFW content, and users are required to mark any channels or content that contain NSFW material as such. Users must also be over the age of 18 to view or participate in NSFW content on Discord.
Discord has community guidelines and terms of service that prohibit the sharing of sexually explicit content, including pornography, and the platform has measures in place to detect and remove such content. However, it's important to note that there is always a risk of encountering inappropriate content online, and it's crucial for parents to monitor their children's online activity and have open conversations with them about internet safety and responsible digital behavior.
Conclusion
Monitoring the Discord activity of teens is an important step in ensuring their safety online. By using the methods outlined in this guide, you can keep an eye on their conversations and ensure they are not engaging in any harmful behavior.
Whether you choose to use parental control apps, third-party spy apps, or simply check their device and browser history regularly, there are plenty of options available to you. Having open and honest conversations with your children about their online activity and the potential risks they may face is the most important thing. By working together, you can create a safe and secure online environment for your family.
