MYNET ÖZEL / Çiğdem Sevinç | Discord is a platform widely used in Turkey, especially among young people, and allows users to communicate via voice, video and text. Discord, which was released in 2015, first became popular among people playing online games, but over time it began to be used by various communities, educational groups, workplaces and friend groups. This situation also allowed some annoying events to come to the fore.
NOT JUST A SINGLE APPLICATION
Not only Discord, but many platforms have come to contain the same risks. Although applications that host user communities from many young age groups have taken special protective steps for children and young people, this has not created a solution.
While the precautions we should take regarding these platforms are a matter of curiosity after the recent events; relevant Answering EPN’s questions, Marmara University Faculty of Communication Visual Communication Design Department Head and Digital Media Expert Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Kırık said:
– How can we keep young children away from threats and blackmail on Discord?
“AWARENESS SHOULD BE CREATED ABOUT ONLINE SECURITY”
“In order to protect young children from threats and blackmail situations they may encounter on platforms such as Discord, it is of great importance for parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities. It is necessary to configure Discord’s privacy settings correctly, prevent children from communicating with people they do not know, and raise their awareness about not sharing their personal information. In addition, Children should be taught to remain calm when they encounter such situations, to immediately share the incident with an adult and not to communicate with suspicious people. Parents’ raising awareness about online security by talking to their children regularly plays a critical role in preventing such negative situations.
“IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT”
In addition, by using various parental control applications, parents can monitor the time their children spend online and notice risky situations in advance. It is also an important step to check whether the servers that children join on Discord are safe and to ensure that they stay away from malicious bots and people. Teaching how to actively use Discord’s reporting and blocking features is vital to be able to intervene quickly in cases of threats and blackmail. “These measures are essential ways to keep children safe in the online world.”
– Are these channels traceable and preventable?
“Negative situations such as threats and blackmail faced by children on platforms such as Discord can be monitored and prevented. Parents can identify potential risks by observing the servers their children participate in and their general online activities. By adjusting the privacy settings correctly, it is possible to limit their communication with people they do not know. In addition, Discord’s reporting and blocking features Thanks to their systems, we can intervene quickly when suspicious or harmful content is encountered. Parents talking openly with their children about such situations, ensuring that they are aware of online security and providing the right guidance provide effective ways to largely prevent risks.
However, some accounts may be anonymous and channels may be private or closed, making these situations more difficult to track and prevent. On hidden servers or anonymous accounts, children can more easily communicate with people they do not know and dangerous situations may occur. Since anonymity makes it easier for malicious people to engage in aggressive behavior, such situations are often harder to detect. However, by observing their children’s general online behavior, parents can warn them when something is suspicious and encourage safe use. “It is important to clearly teach children about anonymous accounts and private channels to be careful in such situations, not to share personal information, and to report anything suspicious immediately.”
– Phones and tablets in the hands of children have now become an inevitable reality. So, what age range of applications and platforms do you think children should not use?
“BANNED IN MOST COUNTRIES FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13”
“Phones and tablets in the hands of children have become a reality today, and these devices have become a big part of their social life. However, this also brings with it online security risks. Especially children under the age of 13 need to be much more careful on social media platforms and online games For example, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are not suitable for children aged 13 and under. In many countries, these platforms pose a risk in terms of children sharing their personal information and being exposed to content that is not appropriate for their age. In the US and Europe, most social media platforms are banned for children aged 13 and under.
In older age groups, for example between the ages of 13 and 17, TikTok, Discord and similar applications may also pose risks. Thanks to anonymous accounts and secret groups on these platforms, children can be reached more easily by malicious people. For example, since platforms such as Discord offer voice and written communication, children may be harmed in such environments without being consciously aware. Therefore, it is of great importance for parents to raise their children’s awareness about such platforms and, if possible, to ensure their online safety by using monitoring applications.”
– Can our private information be accessed through platforms such as Discord unless we share it?
“YOU CAN DISCLOSE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION WITHOUT REQUESTING”
“On platforms such as Discord, unless we share our private information, it is theoretically not possible for others to directly access this information. However, in some cases, it is possible for you to unintentionally disclose your personal information or for others to use various ways to access this information with malicious intent. For example, children can use it in voice chats or Users may knowingly or unknowingly provide personal information such as their identity, address or school in text messages. Additionally, users’ information may be attempted to be infiltrated by using authentication processes or malicious bots in Discord. Therefore, it is important to always be careful in online environments, especially personal information. It is very important not to share information.
Data privacy plays a big role at this point. Protecting our personal information is critical to both our online security and overall quality of life. Malicious individuals can seize our data, commit identity theft, or target us with various fraudulent methods. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to privacy on platforms like Discord and configure the privacy settings of these platforms correctly. “We should only share personal information in safe and familiar environments, and carefully evaluate any messages from suspicious individuals or groups.”
WHAT HAPPENED?
The agenda was shaken after the claim that a little girl was blackmailed in a group she joined on Discord. The fact that the incident was fictional shook the agenda once again. In addition, it was revealed that Semih Çelik, who brutally murdered two young girls in Fatih, also joined the community called ‘İncel’ via Discord channels, and that there were discourses of sexual abuse and violence against women, children and animals in these communities.