Family
Discord Launches Teen-by-Default Settings Globally: What’s Changing (and Why It Matters)
Discord is launching teen-by-default settings globally in early March, adding privacy-forward age assurance, tighter access to age-gated spaces, and new default messaging and content filters.
Discord is rolling out a major shift in how its platform handles teen safety: teen-appropriate settings will become the default experience for all new and existing users worldwide, with age verification required to unlock certain settings and access sensitive or age-gated spaces.
The update is set to begin as a phased global rollout in early March, and Discord says the goal is to strengthen age-appropriate protections while still preserving the privacy, community, and meaningful connection that have made the platform a go-to for gaming and interest-based groups.
Teen-by-default, globally (starting in March)
Discord says the new defaults will apply to all users, not just new signups. In practice, that means accounts will start with a more protective baseline, and verified adults will have more flexibility to adjust settings or access age-restricted content.
Discord is also introducing an age-verification (age assurance) step that may be required to:
- Change certain communication settings
- Access sensitive content
- Enter age-restricted channels, servers, or commands
- Use select message request features
“Nowhere is our safety work more important than when it comes to teen users,” said Savannah Badalich, Head of Product Policy at Discord, adding that the company is building on its existing safety architecture with teen safety principles at the core.
Privacy-forward age assurance: how Discord says it will work
A big part of the announcement is Discord’s attempt to thread the needle between safety and privacy.
Users will be able to choose from multiple methods, including:
- Facial age estimation (video selfie)
- Submitting identification to vendor partners
Discord also says it will implement its age inference model, a background system designed to help determine whether an account belongs to an adult without always requiring users to verify their age. Some users may be asked to use multiple methods if more information is needed to assign an age group.
Discord highlighted several privacy protections in its approach:
- On-device processing: Video selfies for facial age estimation never leave a user’s device.
- Quick deletion: Identity documents submitted to vendor partners are deleted quickly (in most cases, immediately after age confirmation).
- Straightforward verification: In most cases, users complete the process once and their Discord experience adapts to their verified age group.
- Private status: A user’s age verification status cannot be seen by other users.
After completing a chosen method, Discord says users will receive confirmation via a direct message from Discord’s official account. A user’s assigned age group can also be viewed in My Account settings, and users can appeal by retrying the process.
Discord also notes it prompts users to age-assure only within Discord and currently does not send emails or text messages about its age assurance process or results.
What’s changing in the default safety settings
Starting in early March, Discord says it will assign new default settings designed to support age-appropriate experiences while keeping privacy front and center. Highlights include:
- Content filters: Users must be age-assured as adults to unblur sensitive content or turn the setting off.
- Age-gated spaces: Only age-assured adults can access age-restricted channels, servers, and app commands.
- Message Request Inbox: DMs from people a user may not know are routed to a separate inbox by default; only age-assured adults can modify this setting.
- Friend request alerts: People will receive warning prompts for friend requests from users they may not know.
- Stage restrictions: Only age-assured adults may speak on stage in servers.
Discord notes it previously launched a teen-by-default experience in the UK and Australia last year, and says this global rollout builds on that approach to deliver consistent protections worldwide.
Giving teens a seat at the table: Discord Teen Council
Along with the safety updates, Discord also announced recruitment for its inaugural Discord Teen Council, a teen advisory body intended to bring authentic teen perspectives into how Discord shapes their experience.
Discord says the Teen Council will consist of 10–12 teens and will help inform future product features, policies, and educational resources.
- Who can apply: Teens ages 13–17
- Apply by: May 1, 2026
The bigger picture
Discord says these updates build on its broader safety ecosystem, including tools and resources such as Family Center, Teen Safety Assist, a Warning System, and more.
Whether you’re a parent, a teen user, or an adult who uses Discord for gaming communities and group chats, the headline is simple: the default experience is becoming more restrictive, and adult access will increasingly depend on age assurance.
Source: PRNewswire
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Lifestyle
Beyond the Piggy Bank: How to Build Your Child’s Financial Future
Your Child’s Financial Future: When money is tight, saving for the future can feel out of reach. Rent, groceries and bills come first, but building something for your kids doesn’t have to start with your paycheck. For millions of families, there’s already money waiting.
Beyond the Piggy Bank: How to Build Your Child’s Financial Future
(Feature Impact) When money is tight, saving for the future can feel out of reach. Rent, groceries and bills come first, but building something for your kids doesn’t have to start with your paycheck. For millions of families, there’s already money waiting.
Michael and Susan Dell put $250 into the 530A (Trump) Accounts of 25 million children across the United States. Children born between 2016-2024 who live in eligible ZIP codes received the money. Families didn’t have to apply, and they don’t have to pay anything back.
“Every American child now has their own investment account,” said Matt Lira, executive director at Invest America, a nonprofit that helps families understand investing. “It’s in your child’s name, it’s built to grow and it’s theirs from the very start. That’s a real stake in America’s future. Claiming it takes a few minutes, and your child begins life as an owner.”
U.S. children under 18 with valid Social Security numbers already have accounts in their names, and any money in it is invested so it can grow over time. You just need to claim it. Download the official app, available on iOS or Android, or go to the official website then sign in as a parent or guardian to access your child’s account. You can choose to add money if you want, but it’s not required. Claiming the account also lets friends, family, employers and others contribute.
“Parents and grandparents, please claim your child’s account,” said Susan Dell, co-founder of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. “These accounts are ready. They’re waiting for you, and they have money in them. Claim your child’s account and start adding money to their account and preparing a wonderful future for them.”
Money Lessons That Don’t Cost a Thing
Claiming the account is the first step. Helping your child understand it is the next. When kids know they own something that can grow, money lessons stop feeling abstract. These everyday habits can help them make the most of it:
- Let them see how you make choices. You probably already compare prices, stretch a grocery budget and decide what can wait. Talk through those choices out loud. When kids hear why you picked the store brand or skipped something this week, they can learn how to tell needs from wants.
- Give them a little to manage. Birthday money, a few dollars for chores or earnings from mowing lawns or babysitting are all chances to practice. Let kids decide how much to spend and how much to save then talk about how it went.
- Explain saving vs. investing. Saving is putting money aside for something you want soon, like a bike. Investing is letting money grow over many years. For example, 530A (Trump) Accounts are a real-life example of investing that kids can check a few times a month to see how money grows.
- Talk about what they dream of.Ask your kids what they want someday, like a car, college, a trade, their own business or a home. Knowing they have money saved or invested can help them dream bigger, because those goals start to feel possible instead of out of reach.
Small Amounts Still Count
If you’re ever able to add something to an investment account, even a few dollars now and then, it has years to grow. Relatives can help, too. A small amount on a birthday or holiday adds up over a childhood. However, if adding money isn’t possible right now, that’s OK.
“In America, small beginnings can become extraordinary things,” Michael Dell said. “When we invest in children’s futures, we invest in America’s future. We are so excited to see what they build.”
Claim your child’s account today through the official app or at TrumpAccounts.gov.
Common Questions About 530A (Trump) Accounts
What is a 530A (Trump) Account?
It’s a free investment account for U.S. children under 18 powered by the U.S. Treasury. It’s in your child’s name. The money in the account is invested in hundreds of America’s biggest companies at once, so it has the chance to grow over time without you having to pick anything. The account also has tax benefits. The money can grow for years without being taxed along the way, which helps it grow faster.
Does my child have one?
U.S. children under 18 with valid Social Security numbers were signed up automatically, and nearly 70 million children already have accounts. You just need to claim your child’s account to track its value over time and help it grow. You just need to claim your child’s account to track its value over time and help it grow.
How do I claim it?
Download the official app on your smartphone or visit the official website. You’ll confirm some information and claim the account. It only takes a few minutes, and it’s free.
Do I have to put money in?
No. Adding money is always possible, but claiming an account allows other people to contribute, even if you don’t.
Can other people add money?
Yes. Parents, grandparents, other family members, friends and even employers can add money. The total limit is $5,000 per child per year. Other government or charity programs may add money in the future, too.
How were children chosen for the $250 from Michael and Susan Dell?
Families did not apply, and children were not picked one by one. The foundation started with the lowest-income ZIP codes, based on U.S. Census data, and kept adding ZIP codes until it reached 25 million children. Learn more about eligibility at investamerica.org/dell.
My ZIP code wasn’t included. Does my child still have an account?
All U.S. children with a Social Security number have an account. The ZIP codes only decided who got the extra $250.
When can my child use the money?
At 18, your child can decide what to do with it. They can keep it growing for retirement or use it for things like school or buying a first home.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by Daily News Staff
New hybrid event aims to give grieving audiences meaningful holiday viewing, with films from more than 25 countries and a mission centered on love, loss, and emotional truth.
A new film festival debuting in late 2026 is taking a different approach to holiday entertainment. Grief Fest™: The Grief Film Festival, created by My Grief Angels Inc., is being introduced as what organizers believe is the world’s first film festival dedicated entirely to grief, remembrance, resilience, and healing.
The hybrid festival will run in two segments: November 25–29, 2026, during Thanksgiving week, and December 24, 2026, through January 3, 2027, during Christmas and New Year’s. Top Honors films will be announced on December 31, 2026.
Organizers say the timing is intentional. Research cited in the announcement shows that grief and loneliness are major holiday stressors for many Americans, making the season especially difficult for people coping with loss. In that context, Grief Fest™ is positioning itself as an alternative to the flood of traditional feel-good holiday programming.
The festival is open to short films, features, documentaries, experimental work, AI-generated projects, and VR experiences. It is described as inclusive, non-religious, and LGBTQ+ friendly, with submissions already received from more than 25 countries. All films will be presented in English, either spoken or subtitled.
Grief Fest™ will be available both in person and virtually through Film Festival Plus, making it accessible to audiences worldwide. The launch of GriefFest.com also includes Lumen, a multilingual AI guide designed to help filmmakers and attendees navigate the festival in their preferred language.
Rather than focusing on industry prestige, organizers say the festival is centered on community and emotionally honest storytelling. For audiences who feel unseen during the holidays, Grief Fest™ is aiming to offer something rare on the seasonal screen: recognition.
Source: PR Newswire
Related Reading
- Grief Fest: Official festival site
- My Grief Angels Inc.: About the nonprofit behind the festival
- Film Festival Plus: Virtual access platform
Catch the latest in movies, TV, music, pop culture, and live events in STM Daily News’ Entertainment section.
holidays
5 Holiday Shopping Tips to Save Money and Reduce Stress
Holiday Shopping Tips: As the holiday season approaches, savvy gift-givers are already strategizing. Instead of scrambling to shop at the last minute and settling for whatever you can find, you can hunt strategically for gifts to make your loved ones smile. Consider these tips to score better bargains and less stress this season.
5 Holiday Shopping Tips to Save Money and Reduce Stress
(Feature Impact) As the holiday season approaches, savvy gift-givers are already strategizing. Instead of scrambling to shop at the last minute and settling for whatever you can find, you can hunt strategically for gifts to make your loved ones smile.
According to a survey conducted by TopCashback, today’s shoppers care more about getting the right gift than saving time or money. In fact, when choosing a holiday shopping superpower, 32% of respondents said they would choose knowing exactly what everyone wants, followed by always finding the perfect gift (30%), finding the best deal instantly (18%), getting unlimited free shipping (15%) and never waiting in checkout lines (6%).
Consider these tips to score better bargains and less stress this season.
Make a List
Among the worst parts of holiday gifting, U.S. adults most frequently cited forgetting to buy someone a gift (31%), followed by having someone dislike the gift they gave (26%). While you don’t have to figure out exactly what gifts to buy before you start shopping, it can be helpful to start with a list of the people you want to shop for. Write down family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors and anyone else you’d like to include then check their names off as you go.
Set a Budget
Overspending during the holidays can put your finances in a tough spot for the new year, but you can avoid this pitfall by sticking to a realistic budget. Set spending limits, resist unnecessary impulse purchases and focus more on finding meaningful gifts than expensive ones. By shopping smart and planning ahead, you can make the most of each dollar of your gift budget.
Make the Most of Holiday Deals
U.S. adults most frequently describe their holiday gift-giving persona as “The Bargain Hunter,” with 30% agreeing they’ll stop at nothing to find the best deal. Women tend to drive a tougher bargain: 30% said the minimum discount they consider a “good” holiday shopping deal is up to 50% off, compared to 19% of men who said the same.
If saving money is a priority, consider combining tactics like shopping on sale days, using coupons and signing up for cash-back platforms like TopCashback, a free-to-join rebates website offering market-leading cash back rates that can be even higher during prime shopping seasons. You can earn cash back on more than 7,000 top brands and redeem your earnings for cash or gift cards to stack the savings – all without paying a membership fee.
Shop Early
Starting your shopping early gives you extra time to discover deals and find gifts you know your recipients will love. In addition to saving you money, this approach can save you from the pressure and rush of last-second panic buying. Younger shoppers are already adopting this mindset, with 37% of Gen Z respondents describing their holiday gift-giving persona as “The Prepper” – meaning they plan and prepare to always find and give the perfect gifts.
Treat Yourself
Holiday shopping season is also self-gifting season, with 77% of surveyed adults reporting they always, often or sometimes purchase items for themselves while holiday shopping. Whether you’re taking advantage of a buy-one-get-one deal or see something from your own wish list on sale, it can be an opportunity to give yourself a little extra holiday joy.
Learn more about making the most of holiday deals at TopCashback.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
TopCashback
