How to restrict Discord messages from strangers?

Discord is a popular platform for connecting with friends and communities, but it’s important to be aware of your privacy settings and how to control who can interact with you. While Discord offers various features to enhance your experience, some of these features may inadvertently expose you to unwanted interactions from strangers.

Discord utilizes server settings and user-specific privacy controls to manage who can communicate with you. Server settings determine the level of access users have within a specific server, while user-specific settings allow you to adjust your overall privacy preferences. This guide will explore different methods to restrict messages from strangers and maintain a safe and enjoyable Discord experience.

Server-Level Privacy Settings

Here’s how you can restrict Discord messages from strangers on your server:

You can restrict Discord messages from strangers by adjusting server settings.

Here’s how:

Setting	Description
Who can join the server?	To prevent strangers from joining your server and sending messages, you can restrict server access to invited users only. Go to your server settings. Select “Server Settings”. Click on “Membership Screen”. Choose “Invite only” in the “Who can join?” section. Save the changes. This ensures only invited users can join and participate in the server.
Restrict direct messages from non-server members	You can prevent direct messages from users who aren’t in your server by adjusting the “Who can send me direct messages?” setting. Go to your server settings. Select “Server Settings”. Click on “Membership Screen”. Under the “Who can send me direct messages?” section, choose “Server Members Only”. Save the changes.
Role-based permissions	You can create roles and assign specific permissions to those roles, such as the ability to send messages or interact with specific channels. Go to your server settings. Select “Roles”. Click on “Create Role”. Name the role and adjust permissions according to your needs. For instance, you might create a role for new members with restricted permissions, such as the ability to read messages but not send them. Assign this role to new members when they join the server.

Setting

Description

Who can join the server?

To prevent strangers from joining your server and sending messages, you can restrict server access to invited users only.

Go to your server settings.
Select “Server Settings”.
Click on “Membership Screen”.
Choose “Invite only” in the “Who can join?” section.
Save the changes.

This ensures only invited users can join and participate in the server.

Restrict direct messages from non-server members

You can prevent direct messages from users who aren’t in your server by adjusting the “Who can send me direct messages?” setting.

Go to your server settings.
Select “Server Settings”.
Click on “Membership Screen”.
Under the “Who can send me direct messages?” section, choose “Server Members Only”.
Save the changes.

Role-based permissions

You can create roles and assign specific permissions to those roles, such as the ability to send messages or interact with specific channels.

Go to your server settings.
Select “Roles”.
Click on “Create Role”.
Name the role and adjust permissions according to your needs. For instance, you might create a role for new members with restricted permissions, such as the ability to read messages but not send them.
Assign this role to new members when they join the server.

These server-level settings give you more control over who can join and communicate in your server, helping you keep it safe and relevant for your community.

Individual User Privacy Controls

You can adjust your privacy settings on Discord to control who can see your information and interact with you. This includes blocking specific users, managing who can see your online status and profile picture, and adjusting how you receive notifications.

Blocking Specific Users

To block a user and prevent them from sending you direct messages, follow these steps:

Open a direct message with the user you want to block.
Click on the gear icon in the top right corner of the chat window.
Select “Block” from the menu.

You can also block a user from a server. To do this, go to the server settings and find the user’s name in the member list. Then, click on the three dots next to their name and select “Block” from the dropdown menu.

Adjusting Privacy Settings in User Profiles

You can control who can see your online status, profile picture, and other information by adjusting your privacy settings:

Go to your profile settings by clicking on the gear icon next to your username in the bottom left corner of the Discord window.
Select “Privacy & Safety” from the left sidebar.
Under “Privacy Settings”, you can adjust the following settings:

Setting	Description
Who can see my online status	Select whether you want everyone, friends, or no one to see your online status.
Who can see my profile picture	Choose whether you want everyone, friends, or no one to see your profile picture.
Who can see my profile information	Select whether you want everyone, friends, or no one to see your profile information, such as your bio, server list, and activity.

Enabling Server Mute Notifications

To receive notifications only when someone mentions you directly in a server, you can enable server mute notifications:

Go to the server you want to mute notifications for.
Click on the server name in the top left corner of the screen.
Select “Notifications” from the left sidebar.
Under “Server Notifications”, select “Mute server notifications” and then choose whether you want to receive notifications when you are mentioned, when you are mentioned or someone else reacts to your message, or when you are mentioned or someone else reacts to your message or a reply to you.

You can also mute notifications for specific channels within a server. To do this, go to the channel settings and select “Notifications” from the left sidebar.

Additional Tips for Enhanced Privacy

Here are some additional tips to further enhance your privacy on Discord:

Use a separate Discord account for public servers. This way, you can keep your personal account private and only connect with trusted friends and family. This helps avoid unwanted messages from strangers.
Be mindful of personal information shared in public channels. Avoid sharing sensitive details like your real name, address, or phone number on public servers. These channels can be accessed by anyone, even those you don’t know.
Report abusive users or spammers to Discord support. If you encounter any inappropriate behavior, report it to Discord. They can take action to protect other users and create a safer environment.

By implementing these methods, you can create a more secure and enjoyable Discord experience, limiting unwanted messages from strangers. Remember to regularly review your privacy settings, as Discord frequently updates its features. Stay vigilant against potential privacy threats and don’t hesitate to experiment with different options to find the settings that best suit your needs.