/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25412005/DCD_Jason_Citron.jpg)
Today, I had the opportunity to interview Jason Citron, the co-founder and CEO of Discord, a popular voice and chat app focused on gaming. While some may see Discord as simply a gaming version of Slack, it has evolved into much more than that. For a growing number of primarily young, internet-savvy users immersed in gaming culture, fandom, and niche communities, Discord has become the central hub of their online lives. It’s where internet culture thrives.
In many ways, Discord represents a departure from traditional social platforms. It’s not a public network like Facebook or Instagram, nor is it a platform for creators like YouTube or TikTok. Instead, as Jason explains, Discord is a space for friends to gather and connect over shared interests, whether that’s gaming, AI bots, or anime series.
During our conversation, Jason and I delved into how Discord differs from other platforms, its evolving business model, and the challenges it faces as a platform catering to a young audience. We discussed the unique content moderation challenges Discord encounters, including Jason’s testimony before Congress on child safety.
Jason shared insights into Discord’s future direction, emphasizing a focus on smaller, more intimate communities and collaborations with outside developers to enhance the platform’s offerings. Despite facing setbacks like a post-pandemic slowdown and layoffs, Jason remains committed to meeting the needs of the Discord community.
Overall, our discussion shed light on Discord’s role in shaping the future of online communication and its mission to provide a safe and engaging space for users to connect. As Jason aptly put it, Discord is where people come together to talk and hang out with their friends online.