Youth Group Communication via Discord

We have set up a youth friendly way for HVUUC youth group participants to communicate about youth group activities and ideas in a safe environment. Guardians also will be able to communicate with one another to arrange ride shares, etc. We are using Discord, which has some powerful safety features. According to the Discord User’s Agreement, users should be 13 years of age or older.

What is Discord?

Discord is a free group-chatting program/app that allows people to connect with their community. You can access it via discord.com/app or by installing the app on your smartphone via Google Play or the iStore.

How do I make a Discord account?

Users must have an e-mail address to register.

Find a complete guide for setting up accounts at: https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033931551-Getting-Started .

Go to https://discord.com/login and click on "Register" under the big blue button that says "log in." Fill in the appropriate information.

Caregivers and youth each need their own accounts once youth is 13 or older.

And after I've joined?

First email your username and tag (it will look something like Franklin#1234) to youthgroup@hvuuc.org.

You can find your username and tag by clicking on your profile picture at the bottom of the screen. This takes you to your profile where you can change your picture, personal settings, etc. Under your picture is your username and tag.

Then go to https://discord.gg/SnR2Yaqx9G and click “Already have an account” under the “Continue” button.

You will arrive in the welcome chat. Once an admin has given you a “role,” you will be able to interact on channels for various topics, like announcements, a general chat area, a channel for planning, etc.

A channel is like a chat room. Users can text or react to messages.

Permissions

Most channels are for youth group participants and only participants, facilitators, and the DRE are able to text or react in them. Caregivers will be able to see content but not interact here.

One channel is for caregivers and only caregivers, facilitators, and the DRE are able to text or react in it. Youth will be able to see content but not interact here.

For safety purposes, facilitators and the DRE also are able to remove messages and block users if necessary.

Users CANNOT send or receive private messages from other users within the HVUUC Youth Group Discord server. However, they will be able to send or receive PMs from other users if they are friends on Discord on other servers (some youth, for example, might be Discord friends for gaming).

More information about Discord

Here is more information on what discord is https://discord.com/safety/360044149331-What-is-Discord and links to other articles about safety.