Prisma is the world’s most engaging virtual school that combines a fun, real-world curriculum with powerful mentorship from experienced coaches and a supportive peer community
Released in 2015, Discord is a free group chatting app available for iOs, Apple, Android, Xbox, and PC. It connects friends and strangers alike, through voice, video chat and text chat, around shared interests, hobbies or themes. Originally designed for gamers to be able to screenshare and chat while they livestreamed multiplayer games like Fortnite and Roblox, it’s now gone mainstream: There are Discord servers dedicated to local community spaces, to national brands, and everything in between.
Now, with other popular social media platforms facing increased scrutiny, Discord has been attracting even more widespread attention — which means more and more kids are asking their parents, “Can I download Discord?”
Organized into servers that are divided into channels, Discord is a little different from other communication apps, like Whatsapp or Slack, so here are some basics to help you figure out: Is Discord safe for kids?
You can only use Discord with an account: it requires an email or phone number as well as your date of birth (you must be over 13 years old). Once you create an account, members can join existing public or private servers based on shared interests. They also have the option to create their own, with categories including: gaming, school club, study group, friends, artists & creators and local community.
Public servers, which can have up to 500,000 members, are dedicated to discussing any topic under the sun. In addition to popular video game servers, there are servers for activities like sharing memes, cooking tips, and tiktok videos. Recently, popular brands have created Discord servers as a way of engaging their community.
For parents who don’t want their child to roam on random servers, private servers created by peers and friends might be up for consideration. Members of a specific club, organization or interest group can create these invite-only servers to hang out on line and discuss their interests in chat rooms, through direct messages (dms), voice channels (essentially like a phone call but instead of dialing someone, the members simply show up in the same room), or video calls.
However, once you let your child create a Discord account, keep in mind that there is no way to limit what kinds of servers they join.
Each server is divided into multiple channels to help conversations stay organized. For example, a friend group might have text channels dedicated to events, memes, and announcements, as well as specific interests. A local community group might have a channel dedicated to items for sale or trade, while health-focused groups could have channels full of expert advice on diet or exercise. There are also channels with adult content, labeled nsfw (not safe for work).
If you join a server, you can choose when to be notified — or silence specific channels. This allows you to avoid being bombarded with cat videos from your three best friends while you’re trying to study, but still get notified if someone tags you with a direct mention.
The sheer number of integrated communication options within Discord make the platform unique. In addition to being able to text, chat, make video and voice calls, and livestream, you can also integrate other apps, like snapchat, allowing you to use the features of one app inside the other.
One of the biggest differences with Discord, compared with other, self-contained platforms, is that once you have an account, you’re free to join other servers. That means that even if you create a private group with only people your child knows, there’s no way to prevent them from exploring the app and joining servers full of strangers.
Discord has grown by using a ‘freemium’ model, which means its core service is free to use. It offers the possibility to upgrade to premium subscriptions (known as Nitro) and to “boost” your server (a feature important for gamers), and it also sells games and memberships inside the app.
Keep in mind that although Discord is ad-free, corporations are taking note of the platform’s ability to foster deep community bonds and strategizing how to use that to boost their brand’s reach. So pay attention to ways in which the platform goes beyond communication with friends and crosses into an online marketing space.
Discord users must be at least 13 years old to join, although younger children would easily be able to click through the verification process.
With age restrictions, moderators to enforce community guidelines and built-in filters for explicit content, Discord makes an effort to keep the platform safe. However, with Discord, as with any online community, there’s no guarantee that there won’t be inappropriate content.
In addition, there are no specific parental controls on Discord, so you’ll have to rely on the basic account privacy settings.
These include:
Making decisions about your child’s online activity can be one of the toughest aspects of parenting: how much screen time, what kinds of technology to encourage and avoid, and how to incorporate it into learning and socialization.
Here are some things to keep in mind when considering Discord or any other digital communication channel.
Online platforms offer kids a space to make genuine connections. We see this at Prisma, where learners connect via chat, respond to one another with emojis, and generally make one another feel included. Our private community also has separate channels where kids can go to discuss their interests, like design or gaming, give each other shout-outs, or share funny memes.
That’s the upside of online communities: They give kids lots of opportunities to get to know other kids like them, to feel connected and part of part of a community.
However, our community could only be so successful because of its safety: it’s only open to our learners, and it’s moderated by Prisma staff who make sure interactions stay positive and misunderstandings get resolved.
That’s why we would recommend steering kids towards self-contained apps like Google Chat or Slack that allow kids to connect with friends only, without the risk of them heading off into public servers where they don’t know all the members.
Regardless of what kind of chat platforms you let your child try — and how many safety settings you turn on — you should still stay engaged with them and monitor their use, especially their private messages. Let them know you will be doing this, so there’s no issue of “sneaking” around their devices. In fact, this practice will give you the opportunity to start conversations with your child about what is appropriate to share online — and with whom.
Whether they’re using Discord or traditional social networks, remember that kids are able to bond with others more easily through just text and avatars than you might initially think. The Discord app can be a good place to make friends and form tight bonds, so parents should make sure they are talking to age-appropriate friends and keeping private info private.
Although our kids are digital natives, they still need to learn online etiquette. As part of our learning at Prisma, we teach kids how to interact positively with others in a virtual community: They need to be taught not to spam, how to wait politely for people to respond in real time, what to do about cyberbullying and that intentions can be misconstrued over text sometimes.
Kids are so adept at navigating technology sometimes we take for granted that there are aspects to virtual communication that they need to develop. Even if an app has parental controls, spend time discussing how to be a good digital citizen. (To read about how Prisma kids feel about healthy screen time habits, check out this post.)
Want to learn more about how Prisma can empower your child to thrive?
Talk with usWith adolescent mental health in crisis, here’s how to support your high school student’s well-being.
At its core, creativity is the expression of our most essential human qualities: our curiosity, our inventiveness, and our desire to explore the unknown.
The concept of critical thinking can seem vast and abstract. But one of the most meaningful ways you can start to tackle it is by rethinking the role of the teacher.
Imagine your child exploring new countries, meeting people from different cultures, and gaining a deep understanding of the world in a way that simply isn't possible in traditional education.
Unstick your child’s creativity, stretch their thinking, and improve their writing skills with topics that tap into their passions.
I never expected to find a family within my child’s school, but the leadership, teachers, parents and kids have become friends for life
Homeschooling can be overwhelming for parents. Here's how to recognize the signs of burnout & concrete solutions.
What’s behind your child’s complaint — and what to do about it.
If building social skills has been a bumpy road for your kid, here’s how to help them form healthy friendships.
The homeschool day can be quite efficient, compared to a typical public school day. Then, their school work completed, kids have plenty of time for extracurriculars, hobbies, unstructured play and generally... fun.
Possibly. But here’s what to do first.
To instill life-long healthy eating habits, take a hands-on approach
Distance learning doesn’t have to be a drag. Here’s how Prisma creates a community-centered online learning environment.
Distance learning is gaining popularity. Here’s what you need to know about online learning for high school students.
A bridge into high school, middle school is the time to prepare for independent learning. Here’s how to set the stage.
ADHD is only one reason for a short attention span. Find the cause, then try these tips for helping your child focus.
There’s no roadmap to develop a true passion — but here are ways to make the journey more fruitful.
Kristen Shroff is an experienced educational leader who has been with Prisma from the very beginning, first as a Founding Curriculum Designer & then as Head of School. Now, as CEO, she will lead Prisma into its next stage of growth.
Meet Claire Cummings, our Head of Middle School. Claire started out as a beloved Learning Coach in our middle school program before transitioning to the Head of School role in January 2023! She is based in Detroit, Michigan.
From making a meal to balancing a budget, here’s how to help teens learn to thrive in the real world.
In our Meet the Team blog series, you’ll get to read more about the innovative thinkers behind Prisma. Next up is Emily Veno, one of Prisma's Founding Curriculum Designers. After two years focused on building Prisma's middle school curriculum, in her new role as Head of Learning Innovation she works across both the middle & high school programs.
In our Meet the Team blog series, you’ll get to read more about the innovative thinkers behind Prisma. Next up is Leena Williams, the Lead Coach & Curriculum Designer in our new high school program.
Get to the bottom of your child’s apathy and help them find their ‘why.’
At Prisma, we believe the families and learners who like to call themselves Prismarians—are our ‘secret sauce’! Here we highlight one of our favorite stories from the Prisma community
From national parks to beach vacations, design an in-the-field learning experience the whole family will enjoy
Online learning takes many forms. Decide why you want to go remote — and the rest will fall into place.
Here’s how parents of ADHD children can set themselves up for successful learning at home.
Online learning doesn’t have to be distracting. These tips can prime your child to thrive at home.
From early childhood through high school, homeschooling provides the ideal setting to facilitate a gifted child’s learning. Here’s how.
And how can you support them in the classroom?
From fostering a love of learning to developing problem-solving skills, child-initiated learning is a pillar of a successful homeschooling journey. Here’s how to get started.
Focus on number sense and you’ll help your child add math skills to their toolkit.
Combine fun with a pinch of self-discipline, and you’ll be well on your way to a wellness routine your child wants to follow.
Kids need to develop their own world as they mature. But the stereotype of the zip-lipped pre-teen doesn’t have to be your reality.
It’s not easy to juggle full-time work and homeschooling — but it is possible. Here’s what we’ve learned about how to thrive.
Learning languages opens doors, offers connections and inspires new ways of thinking. Here’s some advice about which one(s) to pick.
Critical thinking matters for academics, work and relationships. Here’s how to lay the foundations at home.
Read about the hands-on learning opportunities one Prisma high schooler tackled in the Secrets of the Biosphere theme
Creative thinking is the key to problem-solving. Here’s how to foster creativity at home.
Traditional four-year college is only one option. Here’s how to inform your decision.
The Montessori approach focuses on early childhood. Here’s how the popular pedagogical method can lend itself to home-based learning for all ages.
Here’s what parents need to know about the popular social media network.
Here’s what every parent should know about facilitating a routine that works for the whole family.
Hands-on learning benefits all students. Here’s how to incorporate it into your homeschooling.
There’s no evidence to confirm the validity of these popular labels. But here’s how auditory learning strategies can benefit everyone.
Although no studies link these popular labels to academic achievement, here’s how visual learning helps everyone.
Incorporate these reading tips into your routine, and you’ll be on your way to fostering a love of reading in your child.
Ready to Deck the Halls? Here are projects to engage kids of all ages—and tackle your seasonal shopping with DIY keepsakes.
More than just asking questions in the classroom, the Socratic Method helps learners test their own ideas in a real-life context.
Here are some guidelines to help sift through the infinite options.
When students set the conditions of their learning experience, they show more creativity, passion and sticktuitiveness.
With built-in lesson plans, educational tools, and endless problem-solving opportunities, Minecraft: Education Edition can help motivate kids in coding, science, language arts, and more.
Get into the spirit of gratitude with these easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids.
Teach children gratitude and they’ll experience better mental health, well being and social connection.
8 tips to ensure learning disabilities don’t get in the way of building reading skills.
Why does your child dread Mondays? Once you know, take these steps to help them (re)discover their spark.
To stop bullying behavior, educate yourselves and your children.
Bullying is about a power dynamic between peers. To interrupt it, first understand why it happens.
Children’s Mental Health is in Crisis. Here’s How to Help Develop Your Child’s Self-Esteem.
To reach their high potential, twice-exceptional children benefit from a flexible learning environment.
The holiday season is the time to get your hands dirty with these Halloween craft ideas - candy corn optional.
Dyslexic kids often lose their love of learning. Here’s how parents can help them rediscover it.
The challenges of adolescence can be magnified for LGBTQ kids. Here’s how to help them thrive.
From bullying to finding a safe bathroom, LGBTQ students navigate a tough landscape at school.
What we know about the relationship between ‘hard fun’ and learning. (Hint: It’s not about playing games in between worksheets.)
Here’s what we mean by ‘success’ at Prisma - and how we use it to help kids thrive.
What parents need to know about socialization in—and out of—the classroom to help your homeschooler thrive.
Child entrepreneurship is trending. Here are three steps to developing an innovative business that stands out from the crowd.
A hands-on approach to develop real-world skills, resiliency and a love of learning — here’s how we practice it at Prisma.
A Shared Name and Diverse Strengths Led Two Bens to Build an AI Writing Business.
When traditional public school isn’t the best option, consider these alternatives.
Five ways parents can help their kids see themselves as a work in progress.
Gifted kids face unique challenges when it comes to burnout. Here’s how parents can help.
For travel-hungry families dreaming of school vacation, there’s much to celebrate about shifts in the way we live, work and educate our children.
To create a customized education for your child takes more than a checklist. This three-stage framework can help you get started.
If you’re homeschool-curious, here’s what 100 families have to say about the biggest advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling.
With homeschooling, the sky’s the limit – and there’s a lot on your plate. Learn about how to make this growing trend work for your family.
Learning how to use the internet safely, smartly, and creatively is one of the most essential skills for success in our hyper-connected world. Prisma learners just wrapped up their Cyber Citizens learning
A live learning platform purpose-built for kids. It's a new, fun and engaging way for kids to learn and collaborate together virtually.
Technology has completely revolutionized how we shop, communicate, entertain ourselves, and even how we work, but no such revolution has happened in education.
We’ve officially wrapped up our first ever fall session at Prisma and are excited to share our learnings and observations with you.
Starting today, families can apply to join Prisma from anywhere in the USA. Here’s how it will work. You can still apply to any of our five founding cohort hubs (Chicago, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, or Tampa) if you live nearby.
Over the past week, as millions of parents have realized that traditional in-person schooling may not be safe or available come September, a new twist on an old phenomenon has emerged.
We're excited to announce the rollout of Prisma cohorts in 5 US cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Tampa and Salt Lake City.
We’re Prisma, and today we’re announcing the world’s first Connected Learning Network, a whole new category in education. We’re not a school in the conventional sense; we’re a locally-rooted, globally connected at-home learning network that gives kids the tools to live their optimal life, starting today.
First-time Poet Wins “Games for Change Student Challenge” with “Poem of PvZ”.