For those of us old enough to remember a time before portable consoles and the internet from your phone, catching up with your friends as a child either involved a co-ordinated playdate or roaming the streets looking for entertainment. For Gen Z and younger millennials, that physical meeting place has largely disappeared. Instead, many are finding their “third place” online — and for millions, that space is Discord.

When the pandemic hit, video games weren’t just entertainment — they were a connection to the outside world when we were all forced inside. Verizon reported a 75% spike in gaming traffic during lockdowns as people sought connection in virtual spaces. Multiplayer lobbies, voice chats, and online raids became the new ovals and movie nights.

For many, these digital hangouts didn’t go away when lockdowns lifted. Gaming continued to be a conduit to socialising well after restrictions were eased.

Discord’s growth says it all. As of 2025, the platform has 259 million monthly active users and is projected to hit nearly 689 million registered accounts by year’s end. Every day, about 31.5 million people log in, with average time spent on Discord reaching 3.4 hours per week.

Discord was built for gamers to coordinate matches, but has since grown into something much larger, with 78% also using the site for non-gaming communities like study groups, fandoms, wellness chats, or music rooms. It’s no longer just about matches — it’s stretched to become a place to meet and belong.

Urban sociologists talk about the idea of a “third place”: not home, not work, but a community hub where friendships grow. For past generations, that might have been shopping centres, arcades, or skateparks. Today, Discord fills that role.

In an article on VML, Daniel Li, partner at venture capital firm Madrona Venture even went so far as to argue that, “Gaming is the future of social.”

“Gaming is replacing not just old games, but it’s replacing TV and Netflix. So instead of going to watch music videos on YouTube, you’re going to a concert in Roblox and that’s a social experience with your friend…instead of going to the mall, now you’re in Roblox. It’s where kids are hanging out and it’s where culture is created.”

As of June 2023 13% of Australians used Discord, up from 10% in 2022. These numbers are only surely set to rise.

So while we are still drawn to connect and meet with each other – that space young people do it in is evolving and increasingly moving online.