New Jersey Lawsuit Alleges Discord Fails to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation

Discord Accused of Turning a Blind Eye to Child Exploitation

The state of New Jersey has taken a groundbreaking legal step by filing a lawsuit against the social media and messaging platform Discord, alleging that the app has recklessly exposed children to graphic sexual content, abuse, and exploitation. The complaint, filed in Essex County Superior Court, marks the first state-level legal action against the platform.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin stated that the lawsuit stems from the platform’s failure to implement adequate safety measures and misleading claims made to parents about the app's protective features.

“We’ve seen child exploitation, sexual grooming, even kidnapping occur on Discord, and the company has done far too little,” Platkin said.

Platform Popular Among Children Allegedly Facilitates Abuse

Originally designed as a chat service for gamers, Discord has exploded in popularity among minors—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its lax age verification, pseudonymous accounts, and minimal moderation have created a dangerous environment for child users, according to the lawsuit.

Disturbing Cases Highlight the Dangers

The lawsuit references multiple criminal cases in New Jersey and nationwide where adults allegedly used Discord to:

• Solicit and send explicit images

• Engage in sexually explicit video chats

• Groom children for sexual contact

One particularly egregious case involved a Michigan man sentenced to 30 years in prison for distributing livestreams of children engaging in self-harm and sexual activity.

Discord Responds to Allegations

A spokesperson for Discord disputed the claims, emphasizing the company’s investments in parental safety tools and automatic content detection systems. In 2023, Discord introduced features like:

• Direct message content filters

• Safety alerts for teens

• AI tools to detect child sexual abuse material

Despite these updates, the lawsuit claims that for years the app’s default safety settings were too limited—applying only to messages between users who weren’t friends—and did not go far enough to protect children.

National Implications and Legislative Scrutiny

The issue of online safety has increasingly become a focus of both state regulators and federal lawmakers. Discord executives, including CEO Jason Citron, were recently grilled in a Senate hearing where lawmakers accused tech leaders of having “blood on their hands” for failing to stop abuse.

Nonprofit advocacy groups, including Fairplay, say the New Jersey lawsuit is a sign of growing momentum to hold social platforms accountable for how they protect minors.

Legal Options for Victims of Online Sexual Abuse

If you or someone you know has been a victim of online sexual exploitation, you are not alone—and you may have legal options. These cases often involve civil claims against platforms, abusers, or institutions that failed to protect victims.

Joseph L. Messa, Jr., Esq. of Survivors of Abuse NJ has extensive experience representing victims of abuse, including those harmed by digital platforms. Our firm fights to ensure survivors receive justice and the compensation they deserve.

Contact Survivors of Abuse NJ for Help

To speak confidentially with an experienced attorney, contact Survivors of Abuse NJ at (856) 596-7200 or visit https://survivorsofabusenj.com. We offer free consultations and are committed to standing up for victims of online and institutional abuse.

Source:

New York Times