Call of Duty: 2026 Parent Guide

Call of Duty is one of the most popular video game franchises of all time with more than 250 million players worldwide (Source: Statista). 

Call of Duty is a popular video game series where players take part in fast-paced missions or online matches that focus on combat and teamwork. Many versions of the game are played online, allowing teens to communicate with friends and strangers through voice or text chat. The series is usually rated M (Mature 17+) because of realistic violence and strong language, which may not be appropriate for younger players. For parents, it’s important to understand that while the game can feel social and competitive, it also exposes teens to mature content and unfiltered online interactions.

Call of Duty parent video

What is Call of Duty?

• Call of Duty is a franchise of first-person shooter video games set in World War II, Cold War, futuristic worlds, and outer space scenarios
• As of January 2026, the Call of Duty (CoD) series has generated more than 500 million lifetime unit sales, making it one of the bestselling and top-grossing video game franchises worldwide (Source: Statista) 
• There is a voice chat feature when connected online, which allows players to communicate with other players and strangers around the world
• The game depicts violent killing in detail, showing a lot of blood and gore

• Games include:
  • Call ofDuty: Mobile
  • Modern Warfare II
  • Warzone
  • Black Ops 7

• The Call of Duty series can be played on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, and Android devices
• Games are rated by the ESRB as M (Mature 17+) for blood, strong language, violence, use of drugs, and warns that users can make in-game purchases

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
• Call of Duty Mobile received more than 35 million downloads within three days of its release, surpassed 100 million downloads after one week, and continues to grow
• Battle Royale mode allows 100 players to parachute onto a map and the last person standing wins the match
• Text and voice chat are available, which means users who play are communicating with strangers unless they turn off the chat feature
• There are notification settings that can alert players when when exciting events or new content are taking place in the game which we recommend turning off
• The app is funded by micro-transactions, and purchases can add up quickly, so it’s important to limit your student's spending if you allow them to play mobile games

Parent & educator training video - Call of Duty Mobile

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

Call of Duty in the news

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A brain imaging study published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media provides evidence that violent video games can lead to a desensitization to painful images, suggesting a reduced empathy for pain. - PsyPost

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Game developers want players engaged for as long and as intently as possible,” says Sobin, The Nerd Therapist. The “dopamine-hits'' are what make you feel accomplished and what keeps you playing. So the same dopamine hits you get from brain rewards can also keep you playing the game. - Wired

"Gaming disorder" is considered a mental health condition

• The World Health Organization recognizes gaming disorder as a mental health condition (Source: World Health Organization)
• People with gaming disorder may have trouble controlling the amount of time that they spend playing video games

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The description [of Gaming Disorder] is of someone with an inability to stop playing even though it interferes with other areas of one's life, such as family relationships, school, work, and sleep. And, these problems would typically continue for at least one year. - NPR

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. -  USA Today

Top concerns of Call of Duty?

• Call of Duty is incredibly popular and even if you don't have it in your house, your students might be exposed to it at friends' houses or other places outside your home
• 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 while wearing a headset, your student can feel like they are a million miles away - even if you’re in the same room
• Users frequently hear profanity or bullying when they play games with online user interaction like Call of Duty 
• Child predators will often play games and connect with students in games like Call of Duty, then invite them into other discussion apps to "keep in touch," which can lead to many dangerous situations for students
• This game is designed to be addictive because the more a player plays the game, the more characters, weapons, outfits, and pieces of gear they unlock
• Students don't only like playing the games online, but often spend additional time watching others play the games or engage with other players on other apps/websites like Discord and Twitch

What is Call of Duty rated?

Additional info: Owned by Microsoft

Apple App Store Rating: 18+

Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)

Code of Conduct

What can parents do?

• Before giving your student access to a new game, review the ESRB rating, download the game, and spend some time playing it yourself, then determine if the game is safe for your family
• If you determine it’s safe for your student to play Call of Duty, work together with your student to set an amount of time to play before they start playing
• Ask your student to teach you about the game and to frequently show you what they enjoy about playing it to help you understand their interests and the dangers
• Engage with your students about their progress and ask what skills they used to accomplish each achievement
• Consider using a visual timer, like an egg timer or phone timer, to track how much time your child has left to play
• Disable/mute voice chat in the game and enable Graphic Content and Profanity in Text Chat in the Content Filters options of many of the Call of Duty games
• Teach and remind students to never share personal information, including other social media accounts or email addresses with strangers online or in games
• Discuss the difference between virtual violence and real life
• Remind students they can come to you, or another trusted adult to talk if they ever feel uncomfortable on Call of Duty (even if a stranger threatens them to not tell you)
• Monitor your students 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
• If your student is experiencing behavior that concerns you after playing video games, consider contacting the school counselor, your pediatrician, or a private therapist for help

Why do students want to play Call of Duty?

• Call of Duty is a social space where friends can spend time together online
• Teens are drawn to the competitive nature of Call of Duty, which involves fast-paced matches, rankings, and a sense of accomplishment when they win
• Short matches make it feel like they are not spending much time on the game
• Teens use the game as a way to relax or escape stress, especially after school or homework
• Many teens feel a sense of belonging

Conclusion

Call of Duty plays a big role in how many students socialize and spend their free time. While it can support teamwork and connection, its mature content and online interactions make parental awareness important. When parents stay informed and set clear expectations, they are better equipped to guide healthy and age-appropriate gaming habits.

Additional resources

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