Maybe you’ve noticed your teen is spending more time in their room, eyes and ears set firmly on a computer screen. Or maybe they’re constantly sneaking peeks at their phones, thumbs tapping away and stifling laughs. One very likely answer: Discord. In the ever-evolving world of online mediai, Discord has emerged as a powerful platform that has brought people together in shared interests, hobbies and communities. From its beginning, Discord has evolved into a versatile and user-friendly application that caters to a wide range of interests. From gaming groups to study groups, hobbyist communities and even businesses.
Discord’s Origins
Discord was founded by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy back in May 2015. Interestingly enough, the inspiration for Discord’s creation was the at-the-time chat features for online video games. Citron, a gamer himself, and an up-and-coming entrepreneur, envisioned a communication platform specifically for gamers. Gradually though, the vision for Discord evolved into a real-time communication space for communities of all shapes and sizes to thrive in.
How Discord Went Mainstream
What started off as a platform for gamers quickly grew out of its original niche and evolved into something else. Discord’s user-friendly interface, reliability and robust features quickly attracted people from various backgrounds. Even before it truly hit the mainstream, it became a go-to platform for many communities. Organizing events, sharing knowledge and fostering online communities were Discord’s forte. In comparison to other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, Discord makes it very simple to meet new people. Simply search your preferred interest, and you’ll find a long list of servers filled with likeminded people. This easy navigation combines with the very accessible design of the platform itself, making creating your own server only requiring a few clicks. But what really propelled Discord into the spotlight was the year we all had to spend indoors. When the world turned to the internet in greater numbers than ever before to communicate.
Discord and The New Stomping Ground
It’s no secret that video games are now one of the most popular pastimes of all time, for kids and adults alike. So no surprise that people were playing video games more than ever during the lockdowns of the pandemic. Discord would see users skyrocket because of this, with people looking for ways to socialize in response to quarantine. Discord became the new hangout spot for lots of kids. It’s a place to chat, play video games, listen to music or even just share funny videos. With the move online, live video platforms with text chat were used at first to replicate classroom discussion and work. But it wasn’t long until kids started making Discord servers for specific classes, to share notes and ask questions. Soon after, schools across the country started using Discord for online school instead of more well-known apps like Google Classroom and Zoom. Discord wasn’t just a private group chat for friends now. It had evolved into a digital shopping mall that had school, your favourite stores and your hangout spot all in one. Even after the end of the pandemic, Discord remains a very important part of online life for kids and teens everywhere.
The Future of Socialization
With Discord almost accidentally incorporating itself into the daily lives of many young people, it’s now one of the most popular places for them to communicate and express themselves. With the realm of possibilities that the internet had for social connection becoming a reality during the pandemic, it’s no wonder that it has become such an important part of young people’s lives. So, if you see Discord on your teen’s device, be assured that quality time with friends is still important to kids, even in the digital age.
