Doesn’t look like this will affect everyone. From the release:
Content Filters: Discord users will need to be age-assured as adults in order to unblur sensitive content or turn off the setting.
Age-gated Spaces – Only users who are age-assured as adults will be able to access age-restricted channels, servers, and app commands.
Message Request Inbox: Direct messages from people a user may not know are routed to a separate inbox by default, and access to modify this setting is limited to age-assured adult users.
Friend Request Alerts: People will receive warning prompts for friend requests from users they may not know.
Stage Restrictions: Only age-assured adults may speak on stage in servers.
Yeah, it’s the part of this that seems like a benefit. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t verify my age so I can’t get spammed by direct message.”