Your young gamer may be using the Discord app: Here is what you should know about it

The gaming industry has witnessed exponential growth over the past few decades. From simple yet thoroughly engaging games like Snek to the AI-powered, hyperreal ones of today, video games are becoming more and more popular with time.  An interesting consequence of this is the community of gamers that it has nurtured. Today, it is possible to challenge a fellow gamer who is continents away, in a completely different time zone to a real-time game. An app called Discord has emerged as a popular communication tool amongst gamers to remotely enhance their strategy and facilitate better team work and communication. If your teen is a gamer, he is most likely using this app. Read on to learn more about Discord and understand whether it is safe for him to use or not.   

What is Discord? 
Many multi-player video games usually allow gamers to communicate within the game itself. Although convenient, this results in the game slowing down or the quality deteriorating due to excessive load on the server. Many video games actually lack the ability for allowing gamers to strategize and talk while playing. Originally, Discord was designed as a platform for gamers to communicate and collaborate in real time outside of the actual video game, thus retaining optimal quality. However, today it is essentially a hybrid between a chatroom and Skype/ FaceTime, allowing a broader category of people to use it. It functions like an exclusive, forum-style community platform. One can access it through a browser or via the Discord app itself on computers as well as phones. The app is organised around chatrooms that are referred to as ‘servers.’ They are closed groups, and does not have a general public area or feed like other social media platforms. Any user can create such a server and invite other likeminded users/video game opponents to participate in it. In order to join one, the user must have an invite or search for its specific link on the internet.  

Why is Discord good for gamers? 

• It has a streamlined interface which does not bog down device resources. 
• Its servers like niche communities. Thus, a user can meet and interact with others who have similar interests. The selective and limited nature of these servers also provides better privacy. 
• It facilitates communication and collaboration for gamers without any distractions like pop up ads or irrelevant posts. 

Concerns surrounding Discord 

• Because of its private nature, it can be a huge playground for cyberbullying. Here, bullies can get away with no trace of evidence as the audio and video streams disappear right after a server is closed. 
• It is a tricky platform to moderate, just like any other social media app. What adds to the concern is its real-time aspect. Mishaps can take place, and they can also be recorded by other users. Although such issues can be reported, it does not change the fact that they have already occurred. 
• As the servers are private, people can get away with misusing them by spreading obscene content and misinformation. Moreover, they can also be used as clubs for spreading ideology such as white supremacy, racism, homophobia, etc.