FOSI Welcomes Discord as Newest Member

January 14, 2021

Washington, D.C. -- Popular platform Discord today becomes the newest member of the Family Online Safety Institute. Discord is the voice, video, and text communication service used by millions of people to talk and hang out with their friends and communities.

“We’re delighted that Discord, with their mission to create digital spaces that foster connection and meaningful interactions, has joined us,” said Stephen Balkam, FOSI CEO. “We share the belief that technology can bring people together, and look forward to this partnership prioritizing the best practices that help to keep online communities safe and positive.”   

With over 140 million active monthly users, and 13.5 million active servers per week, Discord has become an inclusive place to gather online for users of many ages. Founded in 2015, the service began primarily as a place for people to interact around games, and has since expanded to support millions of unique communities. Discord launched in May 2020 a new Safety Center to explain platform policies and community guidelines, and educate users on the best way to curate their experience. 

“At Discord, we take the safety of all users seriously, paying special attention to the safety of our younger users. From private, invite-only groups, to our ad-free business model, to scanning for harmful and offensive content, we have taken numerous steps to make Discord a safer place. Our membership in FOSI reflects our commitment to prioritizing safety and connecting with peer companies and leading researchers to ensure that Discord remains a welcoming and inclusive space,” said Clint Smith, Discord’s Chief Legal Officer.

About FOSI 

The Family Online Safety Institute is an international, non-profit organization that works to make the online world safer for kids and their families. FOSI convenes leaders in industry, government and the non-profit sectors to collaborate and innovate new solutions and policies in the field of online safety. Through research, resources, events and special projects, FOSI promotes a culture of responsibility online and encourages a sense of digital citizenship for all. FOSI's membership includes many of the leading Internet and telecommunications companies around the world.

About Discord

Discord was founded in 2015 to help people stay in touch with their various communities by integrating text, voice, and video communication services. Discord hosts over 140 million people per month from all around the world, and is used by everyone from local hiking clubs, to art communities, to study groups.