Applications for Discord’s Teen Council are open now through May 15, 2026. 

👉 Apply here: discord.com/safety-parents#join-Discord-teen-council 

When tools dedicated to tracking screen time were first introduced, the response was enthusiastic. Parents, lawmakers, and researchers all leaned in. The thinking made sense: if people could see how much time they were spending on their phones, they might make more intentional choices. 

It was a reasonable assumption. But over time, it became clear that visibility alone doesn’t always change behavior, and for some teens, it created something unexpected. 

I saw this firsthand while volunteering at an afterschool program. Before activities began, teens would pull out their phones—not to scroll, but to compare. They held up their Screen Time stats like trophies. 

The twist? The highest numbers got the loudest cheers. 

Racking up hours during school, where phones were supposed to be banned, took skill and earned extra respect. The teen with the biggest number was even rewarded with a bag of candy paid for by their impressed peers. 

That moment has stayed with me. 

It’s a reminder that even well-intentioned ideas can land differently in real life and that the best way to understand how something will work for teens is to include them in shaping it from the start. 

Teens Use Tech Differently Than We Assume 

As someone who has worked in teen digital wellbeing for years, and now on Teen Wellbeing policy at Discord, this lesson shapes how I approach the work. 

Adults often design technology for teens based on how we imagine they use it. But teens are creative. They adapt. They find angles we never anticipated, repurposing features, turning tools into points of connection, and shaping their own norms in ways adults don’t always see coming. 

That’s not a problem to fix. It’s something to learn from. The only way to do that is to ask for their valuable input and truly listen, including perspectives that may challenge our assumptions. 

At Discord, we’ve been doing exactly that. Through research partnerships, focus groups, and collaboration with organizations like National PTA, we’ve spent years learning directly from teens and their families. Those insights continue to shape how we build and improve the platform. 

And now we’re taking that one step further. 

Introducing Discord’s First-Ever Teen Council 

This year, Discord is launching its first-ever Teen Council, and we’re inviting teens to help shape the future of the platform!  

Here’s what it looks like: 

• Who: U.S. teens ages 13–17 who are Discord users 
• When: September 2026 through May 2027 
• What: Council members will advise Discord’s teams on safety, wellbeing, and product decisions — the things that affect their experience most
• Deadline: Applications close May 15, 2026  

We’re looking for teens who are curious, thoughtful, and willing to share honest perspectives— including ones that challenge our assumptions. 

Why This Matters for Your Family 

You know your teen better than any platform does. You’ve likely seen them use technology in ways that surprise you, or watched them navigate new spaces in ways that feel entirely natural to them. 

That perspective matters. And it deserves a place in how technology is designed. 

When teens have a real voice in shaping the tools they use, it leads to better outcomes for everyone. Features reflect real behavior. Policies are grounded in how teens actually engage. And teens feel a greater sense of ownership over their digital spaces, which can lead to more intentional, positive use. 

Once you understand the “why” behind teen behavior, you can build something that actually works for them. That’s the opportunity in front of us: not just building for teens, but building with them. 

Please Pass It On 

If you have a teen in your life who uses Discord and is passionate about having their voice heard and helping to make technology better, please share this opportunity with them. 

Applications for Discord’s Teen Council are open now through May 15, 2026. 

👉 Apply here: discord.com/safety-parents#join-Discord-teen-council 

This is their chance to help shape the future of Discord and have a real say in how the platform evolves. 

Kristelle Lavallee, Global Teen Wellbeing Policy Manager at Discord

National PTA does not endorse any commercial entity, product, or service. Discord funds the PTA Connected initiative in support of the Build Up and Belong program. As a Proud National Sponsor, Discord receives promotional consideration for this article.