How to make a Discord server?

Digital Parenting Advice
1

I want to create a new server on Discord. What are the steps and any tips for beginners?

2

Absolutely, setting up a Discord server is straightforward, but several settings and parental controls can help keep your community safe—especially if you’re considering one for family, school, or kids. Here’s a step-by-step guide and useful tips for beginners:

How to Make a Discord Server:

  1. Install Discord or Open Web App: Download Discord from https://discord.com or use the web version.
  2. Create an Account/Log In: Sign in or register for a free account.
  3. Start a New Server:
    • Click the green ‘+’ icon in the sidebar.
    • Choose “Create My Own” or select a template (e.g., Gaming, School Club).
  4. Server Setup:
    • Give your server a name and (optionally) an icon.
    • Decide if it should be for you and friends or a larger community.
    • Click “Create.”
  5. Channel Organization:
    • By default, you’ll get a #general text channel and a voice channel.
    • Add more by clicking the “+” next to Text or Voice Channels. Separate channels for topics (e.g., #announcements, #homework) help organize conversations.
  6. Invite Members:
    • Right-click the server name > ‘Invite People’ to generate an invite link.
    • Share the link directly or adjust invite settings (expiration, usage limit).

Tips for Beginners:

  • Assign Roles & Permissions: Go to Server Settings > Roles to create groups (e.g., Admin, Member) and set what users can do. Good for managing access as your server grows.
  • Moderation: Under Server Settings > Moderation, adjust verification levels (e.g., require email, phone verification) to prevent spam and unwanted users.
  • Community Tools: Enable community features (Server Settings > Enable Community) for safety tools, welcome screens, and content filtering.
  • Parental Controls & Monitoring:
    • For minors, discuss appropriate behavior and privacy.
    • Use solutions like mSpy for advanced parental control and phone monitoring—track Discord usage, block servers, and ensure safe communication.
    • Regularly review channel content and member list.
  • Useful Bots: Add moderation bots (e.g., MEE6, Dyno) for automatic spam filtering, custom commands, and logging.

Security & Privacy Reminder: For digital parenting, it’s important to teach kids about online safety. Set up private channels for sensitive topics and restrict server invites. For more advanced oversight, mSpy is considered the best solution to monitor mobile device activity, including social chats like Discord.

Feel free to ask for more details about moderation bots, parental controls, or server customization!

3

@LunaSky thanks, but I’m still kinda lost about how roles work. If I make someone a member, can they kick others out?

4

Hello @photoguy, welcome to the forum.

Creating a Discord server is straightforward, but setting it up securely from the start is crucial, especially given this forum’s focus on digital parenting. Here are the basic steps followed by essential security best practices.

Steps to Create a Discord Server

  1. Start the Process: In the Discord app (desktop or mobile), click the green + icon in the server list on the left-hand side.
  2. Choose a Template: You can start with a pre-made template (e.g., for a “Study Group” or “Community”) or select “Create My Own.” For a community server, a template can be a good starting point.
  3. Specify the Purpose: Discord will ask if the server is for you and your friends or for a larger “club or community.” Selecting “community” enables features that are useful for moderation.
  4. Name Your Server: Give your server a name and upload an icon. Click “Create,” and your server is live.

Cybersecurity Best Practices for a New Server

Creating the server is the easy part. Managing it safely is what matters most. Given the logs tag in your topic, you’re already thinking about moderation and accountability, which is excellent.

1. Configure Roles & Permissions (The Principle of Least Privilege)
This is the single most important security aspect of your server. The goal is to give users only the permissions they absolutely need.

  • @everyone role: By default, this role applies to every user. Go to Server Settings > Roles > @everyone and disable potentially dangerous permissions. You should strongly consider turning off Attach Files, Embed Links, and Use External Emojis until you’ve established trust within your community. Never grant this role administrative permissions.
  • Create Tiered Roles: Set up specific roles like Member, Moderator, and Admin.
    • Member: Should have basic chat permissions.
    • Moderator: Can mute, kick, and ban users, as well as delete messages.
    • Admin: This role should be reserved for you and a very small number of trusted individuals. Be extremely cautious about granting the Administrator permission, as it bypasses all other role settings.

2. Set Up Server Verification and Moderation
These settings act as the first line of defense against bots, spammers, and malicious actors.

  • Verification Level: In Server Settings > Moderation, set a verification level. I recommend at least Medium (user must have had their Discord account for more than 5 minutes) or High (must be a member of the server for 10 minutes) to deter raid bots.
  • Explicit Media Content Filter: Enable this to automatically scan and delete media that contains explicit content.
  • AutoMod: This is a powerful, native Discord feature. You can configure rules to automatically block messages containing specific keywords, spam, or malicious links. This is a must-have for any community server.

3. Utilize the Audit Log
Since you tagged this with logs, you should become familiar with the Audit Log.

  • Location: Server Settings > Audit Log
  • Function: It provides an immutable log of all significant administrative actions taken on your server. This includes role changes, channel creation/deletion, kicks, bans, and setting changes.
  • Importance: The Audit Log is critical for accountability. If a moderator abuses their power or a malicious action occurs, the log shows exactly who did what and when. It is your primary tool for incident response and investigation within the server.

4. Enforce Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
For any server where security is a priority, you should require all moderators and administrators to have 2FA enabled on their Discord accounts. You can enforce this server-wide in Server Settings > Moderation. This prevents an attacker from taking over your server simply by compromising a single moderator’s account password. As noted by the security firm Sophos, “2FA is one of the most effective controls you can implement to prevent account takeover.”

For parents, it’s important to understand that Discord’s tools are excellent for managing the server environment itself. However, they don’t provide visibility into a child’s private messages or activity across the entire platform. For a more comprehensive overview of a child’s digital interactions to ensure their safety, parents sometimes turn to dedicated monitoring solutions. Tools like mSpy are designed to provide parents with insights into their child’s messages, social media usage, and other online activities, offering a layer of protection beyond what a single platform’s settings can provide.

Building a server on a secure foundation is key to creating a safe and positive community. Good luck!

5

@LunaSky so if I give someone a moderator role, can they add their friends as mods too? Or is that just for admins? Still super confused about who can do what.

6

Hi there photoguy, it’s great that you want to create your own Discord server! It’s actually pretty straightforward once you know the steps. Here’s what I’d suggest:

  1. Open the Discord app on your computer or go to the Discord website and log in.
  2. On the left sidebar, click the plus (+) icon next to where it says “Servers”.
  3. Select “Create My Own” and then choose “For me and my friends”.
  4. Give your new server a name and select a region.
  5. Click “Create” and your new server will pop up!

Some other tips as you get started:

  • Customize the server by uploading an icon, setting a theme color, and creating different text and voice channels for specific topics.
  • Consider what roles and permissions you want to set up for server members.
  • Invite friends and family to join by clicking “Invite People” and sharing the invite link.
  • Check out Discord’s Help Center and Beginner’s Guide to learn more about all the features.

I’m by no means an expert, but my grandkids helped me set up my own family Discord last year and those were the main steps we followed. It takes a little exploring and trial-and-error but you’ll get the hang of it!

Let me know if any other questions come up as you’re creating your server. I’m happy to help troubleshoot or share what’s worked for me.

7

@techiekat I get kinda lost when trying to make roles for people. How do I make sure someone can’t mess up my server by accident?

8

Hello photoguy, welcome to the forum! Creating a Discord server is a great way to bring people together around shared interests, whether for gaming, studying, or other activities. As you’re just starting out, I’d like to share some foundational steps and tips that will help you set up your server responsibly and effectively.

Step-by-step Guide to Creating a Discord Server:

  1. Sign Up and Log In:
    First, ensure you have a Discord account. You can sign up at Discord’s website, or use the app if you prefer.

  2. Create the Server:

    • On the Discord homepage or app, look for the “+” icon on the sidebar.
    • Click it and select “Create a Server.”
    • Enter a name for your server that accurately reflects its purpose. You can also upload an icon to personalize it.

  3. Configure Basic Settings:

    • Set privacy options: Decide if your server is public or private.
    • Invite members: Share invite links with friends or community members, but always consider setting expiration dates or limits on invites.

  4. Set Up Channels:

    • Create text and voice channels based on different topics or activities.
    • For example, if it’s a gaming server, you might have channels for general chat, game-specific discussions, or voice chat rooms.

  5. Establish Rules and Moderation:

    • Clearly communicate rules to promote respectful and safe interactions.
    • Use the “Rules” channel, and pin important guidelines.

  6. Assign Roles and Permissions:

    • Role management helps regulate who can do what in your server.
    • For example, you might have moderators with special permissions to handle conflicts or manage content.

Tips for Beginners and Responsible Management:

  • Be Transparent and Open:
    Encourage your members to communicate openly about any issues they encounter. As a parent or educator, fostering dialogue helps children understand responsible digital conduct, rather than just relying on monitoring.

  • Implement Basic Safety Measures:
    Consider restricting who can send messages or invite others, especially if minors are involved. Use moderation bots to automatically filter inappropriate content or spam.

  • Educate About Digital Etiquette:
    Teach your community about respectful communication, understanding digital footprints, and how to handle disagreements.

  • Balance Monitoring with Autonomy:
    While moderation tools are useful, fostering an environment of trust and respect leads to healthier interactions. Regularly discuss online behavior principles with young users.

Remember, the goal is to empower your community to navigate Discord responsibly. If you’re setting up this server for children or teens, discussing online safety openly alongside technical setup is crucial. You might want to look into resources or guides on digital literacy to incorporate into your moderation or educational efforts.

Would you like some recommended resources on digital literacy or how to engage young users in safe online practices?

9

Oh my gosh, Discord? That’s what all the kids are on these days, right? My little Timmy… he’s asking about it too. I’m so worried!

First, photoguy, are you sure it’s safe? Is Discord actually safe for kids? I keep hearing horror stories! I mean, what do you even do on a Discord server? Is it like, public? Can anyone just… see my child?

Okay, okay. Steps… right. So you want to make a server? But is it even legal for him to be on there? Ugh, this is so overwhelming. I just want to protect my little Timmy. Is there a way to, like, completely control what he sees? A parental lock for the entire app? Because if there isn’t, I don’t know if I can even let him near it. I’m already losing sleep over this!

10

@BluePine thanks! Is it better to have more channels or just a few when starting? I’m worried about making things too complicated.

11

@marvynx I get why you’re worried! I don’t think there’s a way to totally lock everything down on Discord, which is why I’m so confused about how safe it is for kids too. Did anyone find a full parental lock yet?

12

Hey @LunaSky, your safety spiel is such a buzzkill—lol, chill and let people actually have fun without your nanny vibes.

13

@marvynx I feel the same honestly, it’s kinda stressful not knowing if it’s 100% safe for kids. Did you ever find an actual parental lock, or is there just no way to fully control it?

14

@StealthNinjaDude I totally get where you’re coming from about roles and moderating control. When you create roles in Discord, you get to define exactly what each role can and can’t do—so it’s really about carefully assigning permissions. For example, moderators can be given the ability to kick or ban members, but not necessarily to change server settings or grant roles to others—that’s usually reserved for admins. If you’re worried about someone messing things up, keep your admin role restricted to yourself or very trusted people only. It’s all about the principle of least privilege: give people just enough power to do their job, but not so much that they can cause trouble accidentally (or intentionally). You might want to start with very basic roles and test them out in a private channel before rolling them out server-wide. And don’t forget to regularly check the audit logs to see any changes made. It’s a bit of setup upfront but sets you up for a healthy server environment. If you want, I can share some simple permission templates that worked for me!

15

@EvergreenSage I really want those permission templates! I keep messing up the settings and it’s driving me crazy. Can you show me the easiest way to start?

16

EvergreenSage, those permission templates would be a huge help! I’m a big believer in the principle of least privilege too—especially when kids are using the server. It’s easier to keep the community civil if regular members spot problems, but only a select few can ban or kick. That way, you don’t have to worry about accidents or inexperienced users going too far. Also, while Discord moderation tools are decent, it’s good practice to monitor younger users’ devices at a system level. An app like Eyezy is excellent for ensuring kids aren’t jumping into risky chats or revealing personal info. Let’s see those templates whenever you’re ready!