Call of Duty Mobile: Is the App Safe for Kids?

Call of Duty is one of the most popular video games of all time. Now millions of gamers are taking their violent, multiplayer battles on the go. The free Call of Duty mobile app is rated for ages 17 and up and has warnings for mature content, violence, and profanity.

We also want parents to know this game can be highly addicting for users and offers many in-app purchases as players advance through the matches.

What is Call of Duty: Mobile?

Call of Duty Mobile is a free version of the popular PC/console video game, Call of Duty, that is available on iOS or Android devices
There are 2 game play modes on Call of Duty Mobile: Battle Royale and multiplayer
Almost all of the multiplayer game play options are based on popular modes from the console version of Call of Duty
As of this review, Call of Duty Mobile is the largest mobile game launch in history
It received over 35 million downloads within three days of its release and had surpassed 100 million downloads after one week
If you child plays games like Fortnite or PUBG, it’s incredibly likely they will want to play Call of Duty Mobile

What is Battle Royale mode?

Battle Royale mode is very similar to Fortnite, 100 players parachute onto a map and the last person standing wins the match
Users can play solo, as duos, or on a team of 4
Text and voice chat are available, which means users who play Battle Royale are communicating with strangers unless they turn off chat

What is multiplayer mode?

There are several game play options within multiplayer mode: Free-For-All, Frontline, Hardpoint, Domination and, Team Deathmatch

Free-for-all: Every player for themselves
Frontline: After spawning at a team base, users kill players on the opposing team
Hardpoint: Players capture the hill which rotates location periodically to earn points for their team
Domination: Players capture and hold flags across the map to earn points for their team
Team Deathmatch: Players defeat users on the opposing team

Study shows adolescents who play games like Call of Duty are more likely to exhibit physical aggression

“The analysis of 24 studies from countries including the U.S., Canada, Germany and Japan found those who played violent games such as ‘Grand Theft Auto,’ ‘Call of Duty’ and ‘Manhunt’ were more likely to exhibit behavior such as being sent to the principal’s office for fighting or hitting a non-family member.”

Source: USA Today

Coroner links Call of Duty to teen suicides

“A coroner in Manchester has linked the video game Call of Duty with a series of suicides he has investigated.”

“[The coroner said]‘I have to say, and this is after three or four inquests into the deaths of teens, the Call of Duty game seems to be figuring in recent activity before death. It concerns me greatly.’”

Source: The Guardian

Gaming disorder is considered a mental health condition

In 2018, the World Health Organization officially began recognizing gaming disorder as a mental health condition
People with gaming disorder have trouble controlling the amount of time that they spend playing video games

Call of Duty Mobile in the news:

Violence is a key focus, and shows a fair amount of blood splatter and other graphic violence on screen. [Call of Duty Mobile] includes an option for online voice chat between teammates, which could expose younger players to potentially offensive or toxic conversations and language.
–Common Sense Media

[The] profanity filter lets through actual profanity, making Call of Duty: Mobile home to a lot of complaints
–SegmentNext

Why should parents care?

Call of Duty Mobile is incredibly popular, as of this review it is #2 in the iOS App Store
Battle Royale mode is like a chat room; your student can voice or text chat with 99 strangers all at once
When playing video games with a headset on, your child can be a million miles away – even if you’re in the same room
Children can hear profanity or bullying when they play games like Call of Duty Mobile in Battle Royale mode
This game can encourage addictive behaviors because the more a player plays the game, the more characters, weapons, outfits, and pieces of gear they unlock

What can parents do?

Before giving your child access to an app, download it, spend some time using it, then determine if the app is safe for your family
If you determine it’s safe for your student to download Call of Duty Mobile, consider using a visual timer, like an egg timer or phone timer, to track how much time your child has left to play
Monitor your kids for gaming disorder warning signs:
- Impaired control over gaming (e.g. onset, frequency, intensity, duration)
- Increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities
- Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences
The app is funded by micro-transactions, and purchases can add up quickly, so it’s important to limit your child’s spending if you allow them to play mobile games
If your student is experiencing unusual behavior, consider contacting the school counselor or a private therapist. We love therapists and we suggest one to every student who might be going through a hard time

Conclusion

The Call of Duty Mobile App is listed in the Smart Social Red Zone, as an app that we don’t recommend for tweens and teens. If you decide to let your children play it we highly recommend that you monitor them and agree to a set time limit.