is Discord banned for under-16s in Australia?
Discord is exempt — not classified as an age-restricted platform, but under review. category: gaming chat and messaging.
why is Discord exempt?
Discord is currently exempt from the ban because its primary purpose is considered to be messaging and gaming, not open social interaction. However, eSafety has flagged Discord as under review — public servers and community channels could cause it to be reclassified as age-restricted. As of April 2026, under-16 Australians can still hold Discord accounts.
what changes for Discord
No change for most users as of April 2026. Discord's own minimum age is 13 (TOS). Parents should watch for eSafety announcements — the status could change if Discord is reclassified.
impact on existing accounts
Existing Discord accounts held by under-16 Australians remain active. Discord is applying its usual TOS rules (13+ minimum).
what parents should do
- •the ban doesn't currently affect Discord — kids 13+ can still use it
- •the bigger risk is which servers your child joins — public servers can have adult content. Talk about server hygiene.
- •Discord is under eSafety review; the exemption may be removed later. Stay informed.
- •Discord's built-in safety tools (Family Center, safety filters) are worth setting up
law: Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024
started: 10 December 2025
regulator: eSafety Commissioner
platform penalty: up to $49.5 million
sources
view the full social media ban guide
all banned and exempt platforms, parent guidance, enforcement status
this guide summarises the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 as it applied on 23 april 2026. eSafety may reclassify services; check eSafety Commissioner for the current platform list. mini mode is not affiliated with any government agency or platform.