Like most platforms, there are moderation policies in place to make sure that there is no prohibited content distributed among users. Discord initially punished users who violated their rules by permanently banning them from the site, but the messaging app will be more lenient starting now.
From Bans to Temporary Restrictions
If you ever made a mistake of sending a message or media that violates the app's rules, you won't have to worry about being kicked out permanently. Soon enough, Discord will only penalize users with simple restrictions that will end after a certain time.
Instead of just a one-time consequence, the Dsicord will soon let users know what they did wrong to earn the restriction. The warning system will be more transparent by educating users as it "gives users more room to learn from their mistakes and correct misjudgments."
Discord Senior Director of Policy Savannah Badalich says that they are "moving away from permanent bans to one-year temporary bans for many violations, except for violations that are extremely harmful," as reported by The Verge.
It's still unclear what kind of restrictions Discord will implement to those who break the rules, but it will likely relate the whatever they have done. For instance, uploading a photo with a prohibited subject will lead to them not being able to send pictures for a year.
If a user has broken terms or policies, Discord will send them a direct message informing them of their violation, as well as the consequences that they will get for it. Baladich says they think they have built the "most nuanced, comprehensive, and proportionate warning system of any platform."
She added that people, especially teens, "have the ability to change when given the opportunity, so we want to offer those opportunities." Information about past violations will be available in the "Account Standing" tab.
Read Also: 5 Discord Secrets You Might Not Know About
Teen Safety Assist
There are a lot more changes coming to Discord aside from the new warning system. For instance, the platform is making an effort to make the messaging site a safer space for its users, which can be achieved through the new Teen Safety Assist feature.
The initiative is to help protect the younger audience through a series of proactive filters and alerts. In the next few weeks, Discord will release the first two features which will be available around the world.
The first is the Safety Alert on senders, meaning that for teens who receive a direct message from someone for the first time, the platform will detect whether a safety alert should be displayed. The platform will also provide links for blocking the user should the need arise.
There are also sensitive content filters, which can be enabled by users at any time. The way it works is that Discord will automatically blur media that could be sensitive in both individual and group direct messages.
This also applies to servers wherein teens could be a part of a group full of strangers. The blur serves as an extra step so that the minor user would know that the image might be inappropriate, encouraging them to use caution.
Related: Discord Drops the Mic With Downloadables and Server Shop, Launches Media Channels
